not really. In our area of NYC, everone has a credit or debit card. We don't see Medicaid. As far as not having a card, we have only encountered ....hmm.. i can count the patients on one hand. Now, some just refuse, but they have them. We've only had about a dozen or so refuse since Aug 1 when we began. Now, some may "frown" but they don't refuse. I've noticed that those that refuse fall into a couple of specific categories. Before I list this, be aware that I am African-American.
1) Work for a health insurance company (we actually see a bit of this in NYC)
2) Patient is African-American.
3) Patient's health insurance has a dedutible and/or co-insurance.
Now, most of our patients with dedcutibles/co-insurance accept the credit card on file with no issue. But when someone refuses, check to see if they have a deductible. there are a lot of deadbeats out there, but I'm sure you know that by now. Because they stiffed you. That's why we were happy to start this policy.
