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Post by chlerbie on Jul 28, 2015 18:58:46 GMT
I would definitely not feel comfortable there.
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Jul 28, 2015 20:23:07 GMT
If it's the practice I'm thinking of, "WCF", yes, they all do it. The video summarizes what's in the arbitration agreement. When they implemented it about 4 or 5 years ago, I went back to my PCP to get a recommendation for a new GYN. I went to the new one, and they did the same thing (not the video, but the same arbitration agreement.) My understanding is it has to do with the malpractice rates in this area (apparently, we are one of the highest in the country), and that's the reasoning. One of our bosses (who is an attorney) has a wife who went there (well, probably does still), but they delivered her baby. He said, even with the agreement signed, it's full of loopholes you can get out of it, because my reaction was pretty much the same as yours. If you can find one here locally that does not require it, go for it. Good luck! It definitely is them! Is your new GYN with Tampa General? I have a friend who ended up going through USF, and they did not have such an agreement. I won't be going back to WCF, but thanks so much for the extra info. It really threw me for a loop this morning! No, they are through St. Joe's. |
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Jul 28, 2015 20:27:02 GMT
If it's the practice I'm thinking of, "WCF", yes, they all do it. The video summarizes what's in the arbitration agreement. When they implemented it about 4 or 5 years ago, I went back to my PCP to get a recommendation for a new GYN. I went to the new one, and they did the same thing (not the video, but the same arbitration agreement.) My understanding is it has to do with the malpractice rates in this area (apparently, we are one of the highest in the country), and that's the reasoning. One of our bosses (who is an attorney) has a wife who went there (well, probably does still), but they delivered her baby. He said, even with the agreement signed, it's full of loopholes you can get out of it, because my reaction was pretty much the same as yours. If you can find one here locally that does not require it, go for it. Good luck! My Mom an RN in Orlando and has worked with them since '91. She LOVES this practice, if it's who I think you're referring to. I, personally, saw Dr. Bielawny. He's wonderful! Wouldn't doubt it, they own about every other practice in this part of Florida. They are also a big client of ours. |
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Jul 28, 2015 21:21:37 GMT
I've signed those before. I assumed it was common. I
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Peal
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 25, 2014 22:45:40 GMT
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Post by Peal on Jul 28, 2015 21:33:25 GMT
I've signed contracts before that said we would have to go through mediation first, but not that we couldn't end up in court eventually. Every practice I've been to outside of a military clinic had one of those for at least the last 10 years.
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Dani-Mani
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jul 28, 2015 21:37:21 GMT
I've signed those before. I assumed it was common. I I've established care with three other practices in FL, and none of them required this. Nor did a single practice I went to in Iowa. I've actually never heard of this before. It looks like it's hit or miss. At the end of the day, I actually want a GYN closer to the hospital most of my other doctors are with, so I guess that agreement was a blessing in disguise  |
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Post by RiverIsis on Jul 28, 2015 21:40:17 GMT
This is why I miss being under the NHS. IF there was any issue you would still be treated (normally quite quickly etc) by the NHS until the situation was sorted out. Seriously, single payer healthcare eliminates lawsuits because your ongoing care is already covered within the remit of single payer healthcare. |
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Post by pierkiss on Jul 28, 2015 22:08:40 GMT
I've never ever heard of that happening. I absolutely would NOT SIGN ANYTHING giving up my right to sue in the event a medical mistake is made.
Find a different doctor.
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on Jul 28, 2015 22:12:19 GMT
I did a little reading on the subject and some articles said that the malpractice insurers are requiring the doctors to have those agreements signed.. Never having sued anyone or been to arbitration, I wonder if issues get settled quicker through arbitration and not the years ( and money) lawsuits take.
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Post by epeanymous on Jul 28, 2015 22:16:59 GMT
I have never been asked to sign such a thing and do not believe that I would. My understanding is that arbitration in this area isn't very plaintiff-friendly.
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melissa
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Post by melissa on Jul 28, 2015 22:29:58 GMT
I am actually giggling a little at all those who would run and find another practice.
I guessed immediately that this was in Florida. You could not pay me to practice in Florida. Well, maybe you could, but it would have to be a TON of money. The liability issues in that state are the worst in the entire country. Florida has been notorious for this for years. If you are in Florida, you will be seeing this more and more. It's about survival for these physicians. If you are in other parts of the country, do not be surprised if you are asked to sign arbitration agreements. Remember that an arbitration agreement does not mean that you will not be compensated if there is malpractice. And, if that's something you are worried about... well, I don't want you in my hospital either. I'd say "in my practice" but I do not have one. When I left my former practice, working for someone else, I learned very quickly that I was not going to be comfortable taking on the financial risk of opening my own practice, even one not doing OB. Insurance rates at that time were $180,000 per year and that was with a good record! That's money paid before you rent space, hire staff, rent or by equipment, etc. It's also more than I was making per year. Pretty scary.
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Deleted
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Jun 9, 2024 4:28:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 22:38:15 GMT
Not common and not acceptable.
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Post by SabrinaM on Jul 29, 2015 6:24:30 GMT
I am actually giggling a little at all those who would run and find another practice. I guessed immediately that this was in Florida. You could not pay me to practice in Florida. Well, maybe you could, but it would have to be a TON of money. The liability issues in that state are the worst in the entire country. Florida has been notorious for this for years. If you are in Florida, you will be seeing this more and more. It's about survival for these physicians. If you are in other parts of the country, do not be surprised if you are asked to sign arbitration agreements. Remember that an arbitration agreement does not mean that you will not be compensated if there is malpractice. And, if that's something you are worried about... well, I don't want you in my hospital either. I'd say "in my practice" but I do not have one. When I left my former practice, working for someone else, I learned very quickly that I was not going to be comfortable taking on the financial risk of opening my own practice, even one not doing OB. Insurance rates at that time were $180,000 per year and that was with a good record! That's money paid before you rent space, hire staff, rent or by equipment, etc. It's also more than I was making per year. Pretty scary. Yes! From my understanding, a lot of the docs my Mom works with are now working for the hospital and no longer in private practice. She said malpractice insurance in Fl for OBs is outrageous and has been steadily climbing for years. |
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Post by manda on Jul 29, 2015 7:17:50 GMT
I signed one over ten years ago with my OB the first time I saw her. Admittedly was thrown off by it but they said it was an insurance thing and she came highly recommended to me.
Have never regretted my decision and she has been AMAZING. I love her. Have recommended at least 5-10 friends to her that also see her now.
I'm in California if that matters...
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Jul 29, 2015 11:05:37 GMT
I've signed those before. I assumed it was common. I I've established care with three other practices in FL, and none of them required this. Nor did a single practice I went to in Iowa. I've actually never heard of this before. It looks like it's hit or miss. At the end of the day, I actually want a GYN closer to the hospital most of my other doctors are with, so I guess that agreement was a blessing in disguise I believe it's more common in high risk specialties, like OB. That's the only place I've seen it. Like, Melissa said, malpractice is outrageous here. I see a lot of doctors leaving in droves. |
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Peamac
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Post by Peamac on Jul 29, 2015 15:35:46 GMT
Thanks for your input, melissa! I was wondering what your opinion of this would be, since you're an OBGYN. |
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melissa
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Post by melissa on Jul 29, 2015 17:38:01 GMT
Malpractice insurance has been outrageous for at least 10 years and has only become worse. I started reading about these arbitration agreements and doctors going out without traditional coverage back then, if not before. It's only more recently that I have heard talk of some of these malpractice companies have started offering incentives for practices to use these arbitration agreements. I believe they are also used by those who are self-insured, so to speak. It's a sad state affairs that it has to be the first line of business in medicine and I find it even sadder that so many are turned off by them.
It seems to me that people have no concept at all of what it means to be sued for malpractice- the toll it takes on a doctor's professional and personal life even when there is absolutely NO malpractice involved. I also hear that the majority of suits are not medically valid. That has been the experience of most I am aware of... suits for bad outcomes no matter what the cause or lack thereof. Imagine delivering babies for a living. You know that there is a certain number of babies born with birth defects. You also know that there is a standing percentage of babies with cerebral palsy AND medically, you understand that the vast majority of these babies develop it BEFORE birth, not during birth. Still, you have to balance the absolute fact that a relatively high percentage of parents with babies born with problems of some sort are going to sue. It's a fact of life in obstetrics and it sucks. It does matter that most cases of CP occur during pregnancy. Put up some pictures of a child with CP in front of a jury and you will see a reward for the parents. Sad fact of life. The insurance companies know this and the lawyers know this. And then, even for a suit with no merit, you still often pay for attorneys in addition to what the insurance company provides (so you have someone looking out for YOU and not the company) and you still lose time from work so you are bringing in even less money.
Sure.. money.. we make tons of it (sarcasm). I actually do not know what insurance companies pay for 9 months of care and delivery as I mainly deliver women with charity care. I do know that docs in the mid 80s made more than we made for the same 9 months and delivery than we did in the first part of this century. I also know that I paid as much for a root canal and crown as I was making from caring for a single pregnant woman for her entire pregnancy and delivery.
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