The Realities of Out-Of-Pocket Medical Expenses.→

            by: Laura Lendermon, MD

Speaking as a physician, the most uncomfortable question we have to address is “How much is this going to cost me?” I would love to just discuss the best treatment options and say 100% is covered by insurance with no co-pays or out of pocket, but that’s not the world we live in.

Here is an example. According to http://www.costhelperhealth.com, the average knee replacement procedure in an outpatient setting costs between $29,000-$34,000. $4,350 is the average out of pocket for this procedure. While many insurance plans have a $1,000 surgical deductible, 20% co-pay and a $3,000 maximum out of pocket-who know what the future holds with insurance.

That being said, some procedures offer better options than surgery with accelerated recovery and positive outcomes, but are not covered by insurance. Why is that? Another mystery. The bottom line is when making a treatment decision consider all the following:

• Is this a less invasive, but effective option for my condition?

• Do I want to continue a less expensive, maintenance therapy or a curative alternative?

• What is the real cost to continue a maintenance routine of office visits, injections and physical therapy?

• Is the cost of surgery plus recovery time better than a more conservative treatment?

  (Sometimes surgery is the best path)

I get it, no one likes to pay for healthcare, but the conversation about “best care” needs to extend beyond money. We take time with each patient to discuss all options and continue to research new and better treatments for you.

What Is Patient Centered Care?

What Is Patient Centered Care?

Is this just a “buzz word”? Not for us. We take this approach very seriously, which is why a small, niche practice was thoughtfully designed.

1. All team members at our clinic are considered caregivers. Under this principle, our entire staff is part of our patients' care experience. Regardless of one's role, each person is expected to put the patient first. To create a patient-centered culture, we recognize employees through thank you notes and awards for demonstrating patient-centered care principles. 

2. Care is based on continuous healing relationships. This principle reinforces a focus on the continuum of care for patients rather than episodes of care. We're here to not only provide care, but also to provide healing — a more personal level of healthcare.

3. Care is customized and reflects patient needs, values and choices. The principle of customizing care recognizes that each patient is different and may have different needs and preferences. We work to make the environment comfortable to individual patients. For example, one patient may want music in the room, where another patient may not. It allows the patient's individuality to be a component of care.

4. Families and friends of the patient are considered an essential part of the care team.  Family and friends are essential supports for the patient's healing process.  Not only emotionally, but also physically, as they can help patients understand physicians' instructions. Patients may be in a state of discomfort, pain or fear, and don't always hear information, so it allows a trusted family member or friend identified by the patient to participate in the sharing of information and guidance we give before sending patients home or to the next level of care.

5. Patient safety is a visible priority. Making patient safety a visible priority is key. We require employee immunization, hand hygiene and proper sterility technique.

6. Transparency is the rule in the care of the patient. This principle recognizes that true patient-centered care requires transparency between us and patients. Being upfront and honest with information, so patients can make informed decisions, is just one way we demonstrate this goal. Another is ensuring all financial obligations are clear and easy to understand.

To emphasize the importance of these principles. We provide numerous sources of information and the latest technological updates in our field via web presence, social media communication, in-office instructions and one-on-one time in the office. Suggestions to improve our patient experience is always welcomed and we are grateful for our repeat patients and referrals to friends and family.

Not All Stem Cell Therapies Are Created Equal

                                                                                                                 by: Laura Lendermon, MD

Patients are bombarded with healthcare treatment options and while it is smart to research physicians, new technologies and treatments-it is our job as providers to ethically and responsibly educate patients.                                                                            

Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine is on the forefront of offering new, alternatives for treating patients less invasively for a host of conditions. So why is this revolutionary field of orthopedics and biological therapies gaining so much attention? Because a high success rate in healing bone, muscle, joint, soft tissue and nerve injuries has led to patients returning to normal function with less pain.

• So what decisions do we face as we delve into this exciting advancement:
• Who are the ideal patients?
• Which systems offer the best harvesting and processing technology?
• Do you choose autograft or allograft tissue ?
• Which cell extraction- adipose tissue vs. bone marrow- is better for which conditions and where does PRP fall in the continuum of care

Being the 1st practice in Memphis to offer autologous, in-office stem cell therapy and after treating over 500 patients since 2014, we have found a high success rate with the following patients.

Active Adults want to return to normal activity without pain. Below are some of the most common conditions that we can be addressed with biologic grafting.

Competitive Athletes want to return to their sport rapidly. Regenerative therapy has been very effective in treating these patients.

Adolescents are experiencing many injuries due to younger entry into organized sports, which over-stresses growing or immature tissue. These soft tissue injures are treatable with biologic grafting.

Indications for Stem Cell Therapy

• Degenerative Arthritis: Knee, Hip, Shoulder, Ankle

• Knee & Hip Pain

• Tennis Elbow/Golfer's Elbow

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Tendon Tears

• Rotator Cuff Injuries

• Low Back Pain

"Why wouldn’t we offer an alternative to total joint replacement or joint fusion for patients who have been diagnosed with “bone-to-bone” arthritis? Although we cannot “cure” arthritis, pain and function can be drastically improved."

What we found is regenerative therapy accelerates the body’s natural 3 phase healing process: inflammation phase-proliferative phase-remodeling phase. To learn more about these exciting treatment options contact us:

                                                                         .