Don't take it wrong, but if my doctor is giving me an A+ overall program (or even A-), I don't care if he/she has other business arrangements that might be providing additional financial privileges on his, her or the clinic's behalf. As long as my best interests are at the very top, then I would almost hope our doctors would create some form of co-op or arrangement that could ensure quality, service, and possibly achieve an overall cost reduction that could benefit all parties involved. Good business people will know how to work these types of arrangements, and the real good ones will never forget their customers.
With Big Pharma, we don't really have too many choices. Talk about profit gouging! The independent clinics and compounding pharmacies actually promote a complete free marketplace, where the consumer is in control, and supply & demand, and competition will ultimately decide the fate and prosperity of most entities. In most cases, greed will catch up, I've actually seen it happen with what used to be a big-time clinic, along with their compounding pharmacy. I even knew a pretty good guy back in the day with all the enthusiasm in the world, who just got a little too far ahead of himself in this field. Sadly he took his life when it all came crashing down (some of the long timers around here will know who I'm referring to).
Back to the free market, it's not quite the same scenario with Big Pharma and most of the PCP's that we are locked into with our insurance programs. I'm with Kaiser, and actually for the most part they're not too bad, BUT, hey, if I don't like how they have hiked up my rates over 50% in the last 6 years, well, I can just say to hell ... Ummn, no, I can't say anything, not much I can do!
For me, my HRT doctor provides me a Top Notch program, one that I trust, and one that I actually feel is economically competitive. Could I find one for less?? Maybe, but no way do I want to compromise the superior treatment I receive for chasing dimes and pennies.
Now, if prices start rising this year, substantially, and/or the level of care starts to dissipate, then maybe I compare this to some of the other more prominent clinics in the marketplace. That's my right as a consumer. And for what it's worth, I hope my doctor and his team are driving high end BMW's, breeding Arabians, and making BIG coin!!
