WWL article on Dr. James Andrews (1 Viewer)

[Dre]

It is pretty funny that fans are so diehard we even know the names of our favorite players' surgeons. If you don't know, he repaired Brees' shoulder and Deuce's knees (also Bo Jackson and Roger Clemens).

http://www.wwltv.com/sports/stories/wwl112407khdrandrews.35a24bbb.html


Dan in Lafayette posted this news item from TSN about a month ago, in case you missed it.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=296299

 

[Waymer]

ESPN did a terrific article on him as well...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3024046

 

[wbbigtymer]

He does literally every major athlete's surgeries.

 

[Ted]

I seen that dude with his brother Trombone Shorty a few times. they bring the house down.

 

[Dre]

ESPN did a terrific article on him as well...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3024046

good find.

That 360 degree tear he had was apparently a big deal among al o ortho per my orthopedic surgeon in Maryland (I had a similar but less severe tear)...

 

[Dre]

I seen that dude with his brother Trombone Shorty a few times. they bring the house down.

Apparently the surgeries are just a side hobby, but his music is his real talent

 

[where yat brah]

No matter how much $$$$$ you make and no matter what profession or how esteemed you are perceived, there constantly exists the desire to make more and more and more. It's physicians like him that are bankrupting Medicare and stealing our tax $$$.

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712280331

 

[atceagle]

No matter how much $$$$$ you make and no matter what profession or how esteemed you are perceived, there constantly exists the desire to make more and more and more. It's physicians like him that are bankrupting Medicare and stealing our tax $$$.

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712280331

This happens more than people know,,,that is paying for referrals. What these guys are accused of is not bankrupting Medicare. They took the money in the first place because Medicare reimbursement decreases every year which is money out of their pocket. Not saying it is right, it definetely is not. But what happened was they were paid "X" amount of money to send their patients to Healthsouth facilities(more than likely for physical therapy) and some of those patients just so happened to be Medicare/Medicaid patients.

 

[where yat brah]

I happen to know for a fact that unnecessary MRI's, CT's, bone scans, PT, labs, etc. were being ordered so that the facilities at which he worked and bore his name could make additional money. Money (from Medicare) that I will need in 30 years and am paying for now right helped pay for these excessive exams. If he isn't satisfied with Medicare reimbursement, then DON"T accept Medicare patients. God knows he doesn't need them. It is not the sole reason Medicare is going bankrupt but it is a contributor. Having to invest millions of $$$ every year to combat fraud is also a contributor. I am paying for that too. Physicians are struggling due to the continual decline in Medicare reimbursement. The answer is in a more effecient health care system. Referring to an appropriate specialist who can treat a patient more cost effectively instead of spending government resources to improve the bottom line is a far better place to start. If a patient can get the PT, scan or labs at a facility other than HS or the AI, then stop telling your patients to go there just so it improves your bottom line. There's a law against it. Just because lots of people do it doesn't make it right. If more get caught and punished then maybe reimbursement will improve.

 

[atceagle]

I happen to know for a fact that unnecessary MRI's, CT's, bone scans, PT, labs, etc. were being ordered so that the facilities at which he worked and bore his name could make additional money. Money (from Medicare) that I will need in 30 years and am paying for now right helped pay for these excessive exams. If he isn't satisfied with Medicare reimbursement, then DON"T accept Medicare patients. God knows he doesn't need them. It is not the sole reason Medicare is going bankrupt but it is a contributor. Having to invest millions of $$$ every year to combat fraud is also a contributor. I am paying for that too. Physicians are struggling due to the continual decline in Medicare reimbursement. The answer is in a more effecient health care system. Referring to an appropriate specialist who can treat a patient more cost effectively instead of spending government resources to improve the bottom line is a far better place to start. If a patient can get the PT, scan or labs at a facility other than HS or the AI, then stop telling your patients to go there just so it improves your bottom line. There's a law against it. Just because lots of people do it doesn't make it right. If more get caught and punished then maybe reimbursement will improve.

I agree completely with your post. However, it not that easy to say "Don't except Medicare patients." Yes, he could do that, but Medicare(CMS) sets the standard for reimbursement. So it doesn't matter if they decide not to see these patients, most insurance companies will reimburse what CMS reimburses. The only way to avoid it all together is to go self pay only. But I still think the intent was to increase the bottome line via kickbacks, not to defraud Medicare.

 

[where yat brah]

What he got "caught" doing was kickbacks. Should they decide to probe further into what % of diagnostic tests ordered that were performed were actually necessary in the quality treatment of the patient, then the latter would be discovered.
The abililty of physicians to get paid what they deserve for providing their services is a very long subject. Dentists were intelligent beyond belief when the divorced themselves from insurance companies. Some thought it insane but now the majority of their services are cash/check/credit card. What a great way to do business!

 

[Dre]

Dentists were intelligent beyond belief when the divorced themselves from insurance companies. Some thought it insane but now the majority of their services are cash/check/credit card. What a great way to do business!

if you just want cash, dentistry is the way to go