Anyone on this site a patient of Dr. Paul Cheney in Ashville, NC?

[liquid sky]

Whenever a physician chooses to operate outside of the insurance industry, his charges to the patient are going to be much higher. I have seen a few specialists that operate this way. Some were charlatans. Some were well meaning, but useless when it came to advice that improved my health. I've not seen Dr. Cheney.

I agree with the poster who said his investment in Dr. Cheney was beneficial as it allowed him to keep working and supporting his family. So, it all depends what you're looking for in a doctor. The biggest misunderstanding is to expect a physician that operates outside of insurance to be similar to one who takes insurance. A totally different situation. One is operating through assembly line medicine and the to the other one, time really is money.

One has to be careful and do their homework before investing money they can poorly afford in an ME specialist. Knowing exactly what you expect to get out of the consultation is paramount. Then you need to communicate this to the office when you call. Basically, you need to interview the services to see if they are a good fit for you. If not, move on. A good naturopathic physician that is close by and easily accessible may be a better fit.

 

[*GG*]

Whenever a physician chooses to operate outside of the insurance industry, his charges to the patient are going to be much higher. I have seen a few specialists that operate this way. Some were charlatans. Some were well meaning, but useless when it came to advice that improved my health. I've not seen Dr. Cheney.

Not sure this is entirely accurate, from what I have read about concierge medicine, a person pays about the same, sometimes less and sometimes more (Dr. Cheney). When some Drs work outside the Insurance model, they can have less overhead, people dealing with Insurance company approvals and denials.

GG

PS Glad some of his patients have come out to tell us their experiences. I guess I missed out on this opportunity, I used to work full time, therefore made more money, now I only work part time, therefore cannot afford to go to a Dr like him.

 

[MishMash]

Not sure this is entirely accurate, from what I have read about concierge medicine, a person pays about the same, sometimes less and sometimes more (Dr. Cheney). When some Drs work outside the Insurance model, they can have less overhead, people dealing with Insurance company approvals and denials.

I looked into the concierge medicine thing a while back. I was interested in a doctor who wasn't dictated by the clock and could take his time to hear my symptoms. Somebody who would think outside of the box. BTW Cheney is still way higher than even most expensive concierge docs (at least in Atlanta).

My findings were that: the concierge medicine system in America is still a work in progress. Some concierge doctors charge a yearly fee, between $1500 or $2000, and also charge you per visit. And you don't get any price breaks on the appt fees! It's $100 per visit, and they tell you to go file a claim with your insurance company.

The only benefit is you get is slightly more time during your appts, and you, apparently get their home cell numbers, so you can call them day or night. I concluded these docs were rip-offs and generally not worth the money. In fact, people complained that some of these docs weren't even returning calls and some weren't even competent. They just wanted to make more money.

On the other side, there are concierge docs who charge no yearly fees, and only charge by the appointment. They take no insurance. Cash only. But their low overhead, lack of admin costs, allows them to charge reasonable rates, and in fact, many unemployed and indigent can actually afford to see them. The docs love it b/c they don't have to deal with any insurance companies and paperwork is a minimum.

There is a future in this concierge medicine business (from what i've seen, anyway), b/c the docs are going to be competing for your business. When there are enough of them, the prices will go down, and they will be greatly motivated to keep you coming back. In an ideal future, the patients will get better care, and the doctors will be more attentive.

 

[AFCFS]

Yes, Cheney is expensive. He charges about $700 per hour for his time. At this point, he only sees patients three days a week, one patient a day. When I see him for my annual visit, I tell him my maximum budget and he sticks to that. That is typically $3000, one time per year. If I were living on SSI, that would be too much money. But Cheney's protocol has allowed me to keep working for the last 12 years as a portfolio manager.
.....
I know some people feel that Cheney is only in this for money. He almost lost his house to foreclosure when he went on disability for heart failure in 2003. He has told me that he cannot afford to retire. I don't get the impression that he has socked away millions in his bank account off the backs of his CFS patients.

I am glad you gained benefit from him. It is beyond my speculation as to why he would have to loose his house to foreclosure or that he cannot afford to retire. If he is making $3000 per patient three times a week, he still would seem to be at close to $450,000 per year. Maybe he just needs a good portfolio manager?

 

[SanDiego#1]

Whenever a physician chooses to operate outside of the insurance industry, his charges to the patient are going to be much higher. I have seen a few specialists that operate this way. Some were charlatans. Some were well meaning, but useless when it came to advice that improved my health. I've not seen Dr. Cheney.

I agree with the poster who said his investment in Dr. Cheney was beneficial as it allowed him to keep working and supporting his family. So, it all depends what you're looking for in a doctor. The biggest misunderstanding is to expect a physician that operates outside of insurance to be similar to one who takes insurance. A totally different situation. One is operating through assembly line medicine and the to the other one, time really is money.

One has to be careful and do their homework before investing money they can poorly afford in an ME specialist. Knowing exactly what you expect to get out of the consultation is paramount. Then you need to communicate this to the office when you call. Basically, you need to interview the services to see if they are a good fit for you. If not, move on. A good naturopathic physician that is close by and easily accessible may be a better fit.

Liquid Sky

Just to renew my post from a few mo ago when I began my questions on Cheney. I just wanted to know if anyone else was seeing him in 2012 . I have been a patient of his for over 10 years. Was doing well until about 18 mo ago. I went to see him as no one else could diag my Heart condition-when I knew I had something going on. I think he is brilliant. I am not just complaining about the fees. I am complaining as I can't get any feedback after my initial visit. No test but Echo were done during visit. I am a long way from Asheville and have to have feedback for my Primary care here.
Things have changed with him. One employee. When I called about my tests results (that a Dr. here had to draw for me). their answer was "Nothing we didn't expect".. I know, their fees have to be higher-however none of this has anything to do with my not doing my homework. I went to Cheney when he was in Charlotte. As far as a Naturapathic physician, There are none here I would trust with a Heart Condition. I finally got Cheney to fill out insurance for me with Codes and I filed it!!! I had to keep after them to do it. He does not have an employee do it. Family member handles all of it.
When you are really sick -having to push your Physician to explain tests he has recommended wears you out.. Also I have a Concierge Physician here and would not trade him for anything. I can get in touch with him 24/7 by cell or e-mail.No Charge.My final word on this is-I have already invested too much in this ship to jump it now. Just wanted to know if anyone else has had problems with feedback. THAT IS ALL!!!!!

SD

 

[SanDiego#1]

I am glad you gained benefit from him. It is beyond my speculation as to why he would have to loose his house to foreclosure or that he cannot afford to retire. If he is making $3000 per patient three times a week, he still would seem to be at close to $450,000 per year. Maybe he just needs a good portfolio manager?

/Way over $450,000. The family was just back from a month long vacation in Europe.How about $7000.00 on one patient?
SD

 

[minimus]

SanDiego1,

I am really sorry to hear about your travails. In answer to your question, I last saw Cheney in late October, so about two months ago. I have been a patient since 2001, so that was my 13th annual office visit. The main change I have noticed in the way he runs his office is that he is not around as much. When I first saw him in 2001, he saw patients five days a week. He then had a heart transplant in 2003, so was on disability for about two years around that time and was obviously not reachable at all. He reopened his practice sometime in 2005 (IIRC), working four days a week. Within the last year he has reduced his office hours to three days a week.

Please send me a message if you think I have anything to offer.

 

[SanDiego#1]

SanDiego1,

I am really sorry to hear about your travails. In answer to your question, I last saw Cheney in late October, so about two months ago. I have been a patient since 2001, so that was my 13th annual office visit. The main change I have noticed in the way he runs his office is that he is not around as much. When I first saw him in 2001, he saw patients five days a week. He then had a heart transplant in 2003, so was on disability for about two years around that time and was obviously not reachable at all. He reopened his practice sometime in 2005 (IIRC), working four days a week. Within the last year he has reduced his office hours to three days a week.

Please send me a message if you think I have anything to offer.

Mini- Could you send me a message by Conversation Private? I do not want to keep defending my view with people that have never seen Dr. Cheney.I appreciate your honesty. The fact that he does no testing is amazing to me-other than Echo.Anyway- he still is the most knowledgable for my condition.

Thanks,

SD

 

[liquid sky]

SD, I was not directing my post to you. I was just talking about my experience with doctors that work outside of the insurance game. You don't need to defend yourself to me at all. I have been to quite a few specialty doctors and most of them were very glad to spend time with me when the clock was running, but feedback or return calls were always difficult.

I hope he helps you with your heart condition. Best wishes.