Pittsburgh doctor will see patients for just $35 -- with or without insurance

[Applewood]

Pittsburgh doctor will see patients for just $35 -- with or without insurance

A Pittsburgh doctor is trying a new approach to health care.

Dr. Timothy Wong refuses to take your insurance and instead just charges $35 for a primary care visit. There is no membership or hidden costs.

Wong said by eliminating the overhead of insurance paperwork and staff at iHealth Clinic in East Liberty, he can afford to charge less.

https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-doctor-timothy-wong-35-dollars-with-without-insurance/30969261

***

This approach really isn't new.  Some other doctors have tried it as well.  And actually, I'm old enough to remember when it was always that way.  You went to the doctor and paid him out of pocket.  Health insurance back then was called "hospitalization" because that's all it paid for.  Of course, back then a doctor visit was maybe $5 or so and there aren't all the tests, procedures and specialties we have now. 

[berdie]

Pittsburgh doctor will see patients for just $35 -- with or without insurance

https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-doctor-timothy-wong-35-dollars-with-without-insurance/30969261

***

This approach really isn't new.  Some other doctors have tried it as well.  And actually, I'm old enough to remember when it was always that way.  You went to the doctor and paid him out of pocket.  Health insurance back then was called "hospitalization" because that's all it paid for.  Of course, back then a doctor visit was maybe $5 or so and there aren't all the tests, procedures and specialties we have now.

I believe all you say. I asked my dad how people used to pay to the doctor. His answer..."Cash" I don't know that we can get back to that in most cases.

[mountaineer]

My parents kept the cancelled check they wrote to Magee Hospital to cover the cost of my birth, and I remember seeing it and being astonished. No insurance. It was less than $250. Whenever the pediatrician came to the house to take care of us (!!), my parents simply wrote a check.

[Fishrrman]

I can remember the doctor coming to our house at least once or twice in the early 1950's (in Weston, CT).

Another era, now so long ago...

[libertybele]

Pittsburgh doctor will see patients for just $35 -- with or without insurance

https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-doctor-timothy-wong-35-dollars-with-without-insurance/30969261

***

This approach really isn't new.  Some other doctors have tried it as well.  And actually, I'm old enough to remember when it was always that way.  You went to the doctor and paid him out of pocket.  Health insurance back then was called "hospitalization" because that's all it paid for.  Of course, back then a doctor visit was maybe $5 or so and there aren't all the tests, procedures and specialties we have now.

Paying $35 to see the doctor for a general visit is great but normally the doc likes to draw blood and run tests which are all going to cost $$. These days it seems once you go to the doctor it's like a revolving door; blood work, tests and more tests, prescriptions and then prescriptions to counter the side affects, referrals to specialists, etc.  I feel like I am worse off than before I started going to the dang doctor.