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Many years ago, patients used to bring in forms for us to sign, for which we charged. I've not seen one of these for years. I heard at the time that they were getting the consultant to sign them instead, which seemed to make a mockery of any sort of gatekeeping role.
It seems very odd that BUPA etc don't ask us to confirm in some way that we think it appropriate that they should shell out for the referral. It would seem very much in their interest to do so.
Is there any BMA guidance on charging for referring, 'validating' or 'screening' in these situations?
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Miller
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 28 November 2007 19:35
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Do I have to refer
privately?
Mike
How much are BUPA paying you to do their screening for them? Can I get
some?
On 28/11/2007, Paul Bromley < [log in to unmask]> wrote:
I think you are probably
both correct. However, faced with this
situation I would opt for the easy life. I personally think that BUPA
encourages this by telling the patients to get the form signed.
Increasingly these days with NHS patients if they are demanding
referral I refer - however I do state in the referral that the patinet
is demanding referral. Perhaps not in this case, but there is a no-win
situation if the patient subsequently had pathology and did not refer.
I am NOT a high referrer.
Paul Bromley
On 28/11/2007, Geoff Schrecker < [log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> I think you are a trained clinician, and if you don't think he will
> benefit from physio, but say yes so that he can claim from BUPA you
> are colluding in fraud. You have done right.
>
> Cheers Geoff
>
> On Nov 28, 2007 5:41 PM, North Mike (F81717) Maylandsea Medical Cent
> CM3 6AH <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Just had a patient slam out because I have said that I do not think
his
> > ankle requires physio. (Turned it over yesterday, minimal bruising
and
> > swelling, walking normally, needing no analgesia). He insists that as
he
> > belongs to a scheme that he is entitled to use it on each and every
occasion
> > that he wishes (several previous referrals). I feel I have a duty to
refer
> > only if I think it appropriate, not on demand, and that is why BUPA
have
> > told him to ask me for a referral. I have said that I am happy to
discuss it
> > with BUPA if they care to phone me. He is quite sure that if he asked
the
> > physio if it needed physio he would say yes. I agree that he would!,
and
> > BUPA know that, and that's why they ask him to see me first rather
than
> > self-refer.
> >
> > What do you think?
> >
> > Mike
>
>
>
> --
> Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments unless by prior
> arrangement.
> See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html
>
--
Best Wishes
Paul Bromley
www.informatiks.com
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--
Dr Paul Miller
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