No upsells. But like another poster, mine kept pushing braces since my 4 bottom front teeth are a little crooked. No one sees them even when I smile. After the 4th or 5th time of him mentioning it, I found another dentist. The last time I told him if I was going to pay for a cosmetic procedure at my age it would be a facelift not my bottom teeth.
@lkg4answers sorry but I do not recall what else and will have to ask. I was going through records and was reminded of the cost but no details on the receipt from June. It was the first appointment she had attended alone (due to Covid rules) so I was not there for the sales pitch. She did not go in complaining of any issues. She was there for a standard eye exam and he asked if her eyes ever felt dry.
What bothers me most about both situations is that neither my DD, nor I were experiencing any discomfort prior to the appointments. We were both caught a bit off guard by a “problem” at what we thought was a routine visit.
Not before Covid, no.
Since Covid I haven’t been anywhere to know, but I just received a letter in the mail from my doctor’s office telling me they’d tried numerous times to call me and haven’t gotten through, so can I call them ASAP? My phone doesn’t show even likely spammers calling often or recently. Even so, I answer almost every call I get, so they either have the wrong phone number in their file or they haven’t called at all.
That said, I know I’m a year behind on a check up MRI and 6 months behind on check up bloodwork (thanks to Covid - my “cheap” source for that was cancelled) and there is some sort of problem going on that needs to be determined, so it’s on my “to-do” list Monday now that we’re back home for a couple of weeks. I don’t think they sent the letter out “just” for the business. That said, I have received several (generic) e-mails saying they are open, so who knows? I guess I’ll find out when I see where the conversation leads Monday.
The emr systems can generate the emails based on different criteria. Yes, doctors office are much slower. Again, just a business. There are also new products procedures etc that come to the market. Some are are crap and some aren’t. If I don’t wear my mouth guard at night I grind like crazy and have painful teeth. Just one night without it and I can tell the difference. The toungue cancer test. Well mouth cancer is on the rise. If they catch just one person then it’s worth it to that person. But I get it. We get pitched for DNA tests for all sorts of things and more sensitive tests for this and that. I only use what I truly believe in. I tell residents etc we are not in the business to make the manufacture rich. If you believe in something and it’s beneficial to the patient then great. Our professional certifying organizations also come out with things to be on the look for.
There is always the latest, greatest thing to pass on to patients but I always wonder if I didn’t have it then what would I do. If I can’t find a great reason then I take a pass. But some things I also know are just better.
BTW - when I have that young adult in my office and recommend X. Whether a product or item to get. Then they have that dazed look on their face. Usually first time at a doctors on their own kinda thing. I ask them to put their parents on the phone. They tell me it’s OK their on their own and are fine. I tell them how much the procedure is or item is and the bills coming to them… Lol… Then they say “one moment as I call my mom”… Lol… Then I will talk and go from there. The parents “Always” appreciate it!
I have no problem understanding that my doctors offices are “a business”. But it erodes trust in one’s physician when he/she is pushing. I get a bone scan- the results show I need to be taking calcium and vitamin D supplements- great- that’s a medical conclusion based on science. The doctor can tell me “we can set you up with a 3 months supply today to save you a trip to CVS” and I’m more than likely to say “great”. OR- as I’m checking out, the receptionist hands me a bag, a bill for $90 with a supplement that I didn’t ask for and says “Doctors orders”. THAT’s a turn off. Because a three month supply of that supplement costs 7.99 at CVS. OR- instructions that I need to schedule a colonoscopy that year (I appreciate the reminders for the infrequent procedures). But it says right on my chart who my gastro is- and that I told the doctor how happy I am with her- and along with my bill when I check out is a “referral” (my insurance does not require a referral for a colonoscopy at my age) to my doctor’s spouse- who happens to be in the adjacent office suite.
That just feels unprofessional and boundary crossing. I didn’t ask for a referral, have been to the same gastro for my last 4 colonoscopies, and along with the bill for $90 worth of calcium is verging on a pile-on.
Totally agree. Let the doctor know… Doctors are not salesmen. It should be suggested and not expected. Trust me some rep came into the office and suggested x calcium tablets. Somebody suggested the referral to the husband’s practice. Not defending just letting people know what’s behind the scene. It should of been suggested that if you don’t have a x doctor we can recommend my husband’s practice. Many would find that appealing. Staying within the family. But suggesting a referral like that could be construed as a kickback. Stark laws can be funny.
@blossom - I hope you refused to pay for those supplements and handed them right back to the receptionist!
The chiropractor that I work for bought her practice from another doctor years ago. The old doc was pushing all kinds of supplements and extras. Current doc did away with all of that stuff and so many patients said how much they appreciated not getting the hard push. Now if someone asks, we refer them to the local health food store in town with the best prices, best products, and most knowledgeable staff. We get to support another local small business which is also a win for us as community members.
Chiros tend to be the worst BTW. They go to marketing seminars on this stuff and one of the first to retail. Supplements was a big deal. Certain diets. Smoking stopping programs etc. Not all Chiros are just muscle back pain stuff. One I went to had discounts on certain major brand mattresses. So he becomes a almost distributor for Serta. But if the price is that much better…but this last one showed me on Amazon where to get X. That was appreciated.
Just a PSA beware note when buying supplements (from anywhere). Google first looking for lab test results from an independent source. Many supplements out there, esp if bought from Amazon or other cheap sources, including stores (perhaps doctor’s offices too?), tend to not be what the label says they are.
My eyes were opened wide when I researched suggestions given to my mom as she dealt with her cancer. Yes, X shows promise and might work via credible web sites, but simply buying X from wherever it’s seen is not quite so easy.
Med school lad told me they had a day in a course when they learned about this too. Simple short cut he told me was if it comes from China, be dubious. If it comes from Germany, it’s quite likely to be what it says it is. Anywhere else, look for independent lab testing of contents unless it’s something really inexpensive like Iron. Many are not what they claim to be on the label.
My former dermatologist was pushy about extras. A few years ago her office started focusing on spa treatments and advertising “Botox Bingo” parties. I ignored that stuff until she had to be strongly persuaded to do a biopsy on a suspicious spot which she’d dismissed as just an “age spot.” It was a squamous cell carcinoma, and she was too booked with spa treatments to schedule my return visit for over a month. I called the med school’s clinic in the nearby city and their top doc for Mohs took care of it within the week. Now I do all check ups and subsequent Mohs at the university clinic. It means having three or four young docs check out whatever there is to see before their professor steps in, but I’d rather deal with that then the sales pitches.
All parents of future doctors thank you for allowing them to train on you. Hands on and being able to truly see as much as possible is worth more than any text or video. I did the same for my BT - lots of students came in so the dr in charge could show them what to look for.
After not seeing him for months, my ENT very cavalierly, IMO, suggested surgery. I went in for a minor issue. The conversation was like this: “You can have surgery for that. I do five of these a week. I can slot you in on Tuesday, just talk to the scheduler. It’s very routine.” I very much got the feeling that he works on a conveyor belt of patients. It gave me the creeps, the attitude that surgery was no big deal.
Strangely, I went in a couple of weeks ago to see him again and there was no mention of it. I think I need a new doctor.
All these comments are great by the way. I am a Podiatrist and I take to heart what is being said here. But I can also give the other side of it. Yes, spas were being pushed years ago. In my case to have one with a medical pedicurist. We never did it but I have had patients tell me if we did that they would come to us in a heartbeat, so yes the light bulb does go off…
You know those waiting room videos tvs for education. (I am my wife a consultants for different companies in medicine), we had the companies of the products make video’s and play then in the doctors office like 15 years ago. Then the patient would see the video and question the doctor or staff. This was for products or /and procedures. It was all educational material not selling material. You would be surprised how many patients didn’t realize I did X or Y. They would question if we had the creme that was shown. That led us to have each office have specific videos per what they retailed or did.
Just giving you a behind the scenes look at this. Many and I mean many patients really appreciate this information. When they found out I did X procedure they were happy to find out since they were considering to have it done and would of gone elsewhere for it. It’s not all hard sales and really never should be.
If you couldn’t get in to the derm for the lesion check up then you know where their priorities lie. That’s a shame.
So this is one cream we sell. Why? Well we were at a spa years ago and we loved this creame and thought our patients would also. It’s great and the Shea butter is like nothing you ever experienced… According to my patients but the nourishing cream is what everyone wants. Also the clay foot pumus stones for calluses like never get dull. We have one in our shower for over 10 years. These are not that expensive items but are really great.
https://www.gildentree.com/c-2-foot-care.aspx?pagenum=1
Just a FYI.
I left an optometrist after 1 round of visits from me and the kids. He tried to sell me $6,000 worth of unproven ‘vision therapy’ for my youngest to help correct a slight intermittent visual problem (I ended up getting my family doctor to make referral to a pediatric specialist instead). The even bigger turn off though was his political activism with regards to private insurance funding formulas. On top of that he sells prescription lenses and really pushes for you to buy your glasses through him. When he does an eye exam he doesn’t give you a prescription for your lenses unless you specifically ask for it. He just has it entered into his computer system and directs you to his optical staff. Overall it left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
Perhaps dematologists prefer the cosmetic stuff because it operates like a normal market (voluntary customers self-paying) rather than the way other medical care operates (mostly involuntary customers (most people are not wanting to have to get more medical care) paying through insurance (because most cannot afford to self-insure))?
Four or five people looking and discussing the situation could be slower, but it looks like you get a bunch of “second opinions” all at once.
Him selling eyeglasses makes perfect sense if he is an eye doctor. It’s a service and not an upsell. Of course he wants all your eye care dollars. But they never had Warby Parker, Costco etc to deal with. I will guarantee you that a majority of their patients appreciate not having to go shopping elsewhere. Many patients love to do everything in house. So there is give and take on that. As far as the $6,000 vision therapy it’s usually called developmental optometry. It’s a real thing and was a life changer for my daughter.
Dr Margolis is a leader in the field. They have like 8 full time therapist. For some this can be a life changing experience. I have referred kids with ADHD symptoms, on meds that are taken off for good after going through their program.
My daughters issues were not that but every teacher wanted to know what she was on to correct her LD issues. It was just therapy and strange ones at that. Juggling balls and walking in a figure 8 took her incredibly messy handwriting and since 7 years old (she’s 23 now), she has perfect writing. Left and right handness issue went away. Looking through prisms. Transference issues… Trust me, we were really skeptical but once you see it work, it’s impressive for the right patients. https://www.visualsymptomstreatmentcenter.com/
Some people might like the convenience of buying needed or recommended products right there on the spot - I am not that person though! But I could see how some consider it time efficient.
I do agree with extending this idea to hair salons. They also seem to never stick with a certain line of product. If brand A was “the greatest for my hair” last year why do we have to go a year later to brand B - and A is not even available by you any longer?!
Also hair salons - everything from wine while you’re getting your services, flavored pedicures, soaps, beauty extras, a small selection of clothing, So.Many. Things!!! Some of this has been curtailed during COVID and the need to clear out space and things.
My hairdresser seemed to also have the greatest new product for my hair each time I came in. In the 5.5 years I saw him (I moved), I only bought products once and soon regretted it. I don’t usually do that.
My issue wasn’t with the optometrist, but with the optician next door. I took S2 there so he could be fitted for contacts and learn how to use them. The optician refused to give me back the rx from the optometrist and said it belonged to him. I didn’t buy that. I had no intention of getting eyeglasses at that optician so needed the rx to go elsewhere for them, plus S2 was in college so I wanted him to have his rx with him for emergencies. I had to walk back next door to request a duplicate rx from the optometrist. Never returned to that optician.