[NPInfo] A bit strange-NO?

[David Mittman]

Nice to see mention of an NP.

6-18-08 Free New Medical Service Saves Money In 3 Steps


By Stephen Schueler, M.D.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 12:53 PM CDT
As an emergency room doctor, I was moved by problems that people  
faced in seeking medical care. I established FreeMD.com to provide a  
new, free medical service that will save people money by immediately  
helping them determine what may be wrong and where to go for the  
appropriate care. Taking the right steps when something happens is  
important whether consumers have medical insurance or not.

Many people are alone when symptoms pop up or injuries occur. Now,  
anyone with access to the Internet can get help making decisions  
promptly. Numerous studies show that many people go to the emergency  
room for care when they do not have an emergency. A study in the  
Journal of the American Medical Association shows that a visit to the  
emergency room can cost five times more than at a doctor's office.  
Another study by the Indiana Health Department found that using a  
nurse practitioner can cost 40 percent less than using a doctor.

With health care costs rising and many people uninsured, it's  
important to keep in

mind these three steps to save money and time:


-Determine whether it's an emergency.

-Determine whether the problem needs the attention of a professional.

-Determine the right place to get the appropriate care.

Unfortunately, without a doctor on hand, it's often impossible to  
know how to answer

those three questions.

Those people who usually rely on the emergency room for care could  
save money and time by correctly identifying non-emergencies, then  
seeking less costly services. Those with insurance could avoid paying  
deductibles for service in the wrong place and then paying again for  
service in the right place.

People who visit FreeMD.com will meet me as the virtual doctor, and I  
will help them make the right decisions. The virtual doctor will tell  
them what might be wrong and where to go for care - the emergency  
room, urgent care center, or the doctor's office. If they don't need  
to see a professional, the doctor will explain how to treat the  
problem at home. FreeMD.com even helps them find the closest  
emergency room, urgent care center or doctor's office.