It seems like every year our costs go up (wages, rent, malpractice (even being lawsuit free my entire working life)) and reimbursement just doesn't keep pace. We had a respite in Florida in 2013 and 2014 with Medicaid basically doubling and matching Medicare rates. However, our governor has decided Florida will not renew the Medicaid increase legislation and we are feeling it already this year.
I am about to run out of the "special" numbered RX paper we were first forced to buy in late 2011 due to the abundance of Florida pill mills. I have to order more and it pains me to see our costs on printing controlled substances. I am seriously considering charging a $0.50 to $1 supply fee for controlled substance RXs. This would just be enough to cover our cost for the paper and ink.
And if you're thinking how could a Medicaid patient pay $0.50, well, they spend more than that each day on the cigarette pack in their pocket, or their new smart phone plan, fast food which causes their DM, HTN....
Has anyone here implemented such a policy? Any issues with insurances, specifically Medicare/Medicaid?
Thanks,
Anthony
