Progress on ADR costs in the US

[mmglobal]

I went to see Stephen at Cedars Sinai yesterday. (He's my client with the Regan fusion on Tuesday.) I got a chance to speak with Dr. Regan. He told me that a group of surgeons is opening a Doctor owned hospital in Century City in June. This hospital will be all private rooms, fancy, flat screen TV's and internet, etc... He even said that Wolfgang Puck is doing the menu (woop de dooo... if we can't complain about the hospital food... then what?)

A doctor owned facility should be able to deal with patients much better than your typical Mega hospital. For those in nursing, the hospital they took over was a Tenet facility. My wife works at a Tenet facility and they suck. The nurses who've worked there for years say that for the few years that the hospital was doctor owned; the work was better, the standard of care was better, etc...

The important piece of information is that they'll be able to offer non-insured patients single level Charite's for $40K. Fixed... all inclusive. Incremental price for multiple levels should be $10K or less. I don't know about discograms, MRI's, etc... I don't know how things will work with partial insurance participation. I've heard of similar pricing at other facilities, but don't know if it has really materialized. I hope this turns out to be the real deal. If it does, then this is real progress. Still not as inexpensive as overseas, but getting there. More so than the low cost options, I'm looking forward to seeing the standard of care. It really sounds great. He said that they'll be opening in June and can start scheduling surgery now, for July. I'll keep you posted as I learn more.

Mark

[Dano]

The Hospital that Mark is referring to is the old Century City Hospital. West Coast Spine was based out of that facility prior to opening Cedars. The New hospitals name is "Century City Doctors". They have always catered to a higher clientele; it was a tenant hospital for only the last 5 years. Siemens has invested 38m in equipment to help get things moving. The hospital is owned by a large group of very well respected doctors,
many of whom are in the 17-story office tower next door. It was back in the 90's, a very specialized cutting edge facility with terrific Nursing care and customer support. I feel you can expect even more out of the new hospital, as I know several of the Doc's who are in the purchasing group. They are very excited and proud of what they have been able to do and have said, "It's totally digital and completely high tech. but looks and feels like a Hotel. It always was an upscale, hotel type environment and it will be even more so now.

[Carmont]

What great news Mark! My experience here in Texas as a patient in a Dr. owned facility was very positive - great, stream-lined, low-cost care. Patient friendly. The nurses that cared for me were pleased with their working environment and, therefore, happier and providing better care to their patients. If I had a choice for treatment, especially ADR, I would choose a Dr. owned facility and not just for cost alone. Happier Drs. and employees makes for happier patients and happier outcomes, I would guestimate. And Wolfgang Puck....!!!!
Thank you for the post.
Carmont