Tom Joseph, MD, a Dunwoody, Ga.-based orthopedic surgeon, recently opened a new type of practice, one that pledges a simpler way for patients to pay, by offering one fixed price to everyone.
Dr. Joseph's Freedom Orthopedics and Rehab in Atlanta uses a flat-fee payment structure that the surgeon describes as a type of experiment.
"What we're doing differently is we're having one price at the front desk, which basically covers the entire visit," Dr. Joseph told My Fox Atlanta. "Say, somebody has a high deductible plan because they're healthy. And maybe they trip and fall on their elbow, and they're not sure if it's broken? Perfect. Perfect for them."
Freedom Orthopedics doesn't accept insurance but does provide reimbursement paperwork to patients.
Dr. Joseph charges $300 for a patient's initial visit, which includes X-rays. Follow-ups cost $80.
Dr. Joseph's wife is a physical therapist who joined her husband at Freedom Orthopedics. For her, a first visit is $100 and a follow-up is $60.
"The patient gets a simple, upfront price. It's fair, it's affordable and it's just simple," said Dr. Joseph.
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