Practice Model: Patient-Doctor Direct; Fee-for-Service; Private-Pay; Self-Pay; Third Party Free; Cash Clinic

The Robb Oto-Neurology Clinic doors are open to all patients in need of neurology and oto-neurological care.

Dr. Robb is not contracted with any HMOs, PPOs, Medicare or Medicaid plans. He has officially 'opted-out' of Medicare and privately contracts with Medicare beneficiaries. This private contract does not interfere in anyway with the ongoing relationship the patient has with other physicians who are contracted with Medicare.

All patients are welcome regardless of age, insurance policy/lack of insurance, or Medicare/Medicaid status. The clinic doors are open to all. No patient is turned away as a result of Dr. Robb's non-contracted and opted-out status with third-party insurers.

Payment at time of service is the standard order of business and receipts are given to patients with sufficient detail for potential out-of-network consideration and reimbursement. Patients use their insurance card for expensive tests and therapy and pay privately for the office visit. Then they submit their receipts to their insurers and the reimbursement check is mailed to the patient once the out-of-network deductible is met.

Payment plans, generous discounts, payment in kind, charity care and other special accomodations are gladly arranged for those in financial hardship. Specific instructions and receipts are given to patients in order to facilitate out-of-network reimbursement.

New Patient Consultation:    $360/hour

Follow-up Patient Visit:        $240/hour

Typical visit time for orchestration of comprehensive tinnitus and abnormal sound sensitivity (hyperacusis) care runs 1.5 to 2 hours, $540 to 720.

Typical visit time for assessment and treatment of vertigo, dizziness or imbalance runs 1-1 1/2 hours or $360-540.

General neurological complaints are addressed in 40-90 minutes usually, $240-540.

Follow-up visits ($240/hr) run 15-90 minutes or $60-$360.

Sound therapy and amplification devices for tinnitus habituation/relief and improved hearing (range): no additional charge up to $6,000

Labs, brain scans, hearing tests, vestibular and balance tests,  vestibular and neck physical therapy, sleep studies, and several other tests and collaborative medical and surgical consultations are usually covered by the patient's insurance thus minimizing the out-of-pocket expense. Patient's can still use their insurance or medicare cards to save thousands on diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Patients who are medicare beneficiaries can obtain significant reimbursement by their non-medigap secondaries. Medicare can pay for the expensive auditory and vestibular workups including labs, neuroimaging, surgical referrals, other.

 
Hearing aids and sound therapy devices for tinnitus relief are not paid for by insurance. Some patients have been successful in appealing their insurance companies' decision.

Payment at time of service is the standard order of business and is expected at the conclusion of the guest's visit. Methods of payment accepted include cash, personal or business check, travelers checks, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) debit cards, Visa and Mastercard. Payment plans and discounts can be arranged when necesary in order to meet the patient's financial need and budget.

Worker's compensation payments are also accepted. Patients involved in litigation are also welcome. Regardless of the patient's public or private insurance status or lack thereof, they can all potentially be seen by Dr. Robb should they so desire based on the fee-for-service terms outlined above.

Detailed, easy-to-read receipts are provided to the patient for optional submission by the patient to third-party insurance companies for potential consideration and reimbursement. Out-of-network reimbursement is possible, and Medicare associated secondary insurance policies (provided they are non-Medigap plans) may also reimburse patients who have agreed to sign the Medicare 'private contract' with Dr. Robb, a physician who has officially 'opted-out' of Medicare.

Response to the patient-doctor-direct/fee-for-service practice model has been overwhelmingly positive since its inception in November of 2003. This old-fashioned model juxtaposed with modern subspecialty care benefits the patient and the doctor in unique ways - one of which involves time. For example, the physician is able to spend more quality time with the patient addressing complex medical concerns in depth in an unhurried manner. The degree of difficulty of the history, physical, and treatment plan, in combination with the questions and concerns the patient brings to the visit, helps determine the total amount of time allotted per patient. Customized care is orchestrated by the doctor himself and the patient plays an active role contributing to the decision making process.

Please call (480) 303-1133 anytime to express your interest in obtaining an appointment. After a brief conversation with Dr. Robb or his personal assistant, an appointment time(s) will be offered.  

Thank you for visiting the site.

 

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The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (www.aapsonline.org) encourages its member physicians to understand the importance of price transparency so that patients can be educated and empowered through awareness of the cost of medical care. [The organization also opposes hospital charging practices where the uninsured receive bills at significantly higher rates than the insured for emergency room, surgery and even outpatient visits.] Consequently, the professional fees are hereby posted for review.

Page initially posted:                 9.19.06 

Most recent page update:          8.3.10