Hiding Patty Chapter 8
| Hiding Patty | |
|---|---|
| Chapter 8 of 33 | |
 | |
| Read this chapter | |
| Time frame | August 2009 |
| Previous | Next |
Locations
- The Randy & Nicole Clark home in Hannegan's Cove
Characters
- "Bonnie", the current junior reporter from the Record-Herald
Summary
The foundation reception continues (from the previous chapter). Ryan Clark indulges the newspaper reporter's limited time schedule by organizing the mandatory handshake photo early. The reporter takes her photo, requests a follow-up interview with Dr. York later in the week, and leaves.
With the reporter gone, Ryan changes the tone of the get-together by bring up the fact that the committee had an overly simplistic view of her taking over Dr. Luce's practice with a gradual changeover and buyout - but reality forces a change.
Ryan asks her opinion of how the practice is run, even though she's only been there for three days. Her reply is that it's pretty bleak, both doctor-wise and business-wise. Dr. Metarie agrees with every one of her points except that her bleak description isn't bleak enough.
Gene informs everyone that the doctor-patient ratio in the area is three or four times what would be found elsewhere. Over the years he has tried to improve the ratio by hiring nurse-practitioners and physician’s assistants but he can't keep them due to the over-work, the small-town environment and bigger paychecks elsewhere.
Ryan then brings forward a revised plan to convince Dr. York to stick with it - one that includes financing the modernizing of the practice and a guaranteed minimum income for her.
Gene brings up a new point: he's had to hire additional office people to handle the medical billing paperwork, including Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurance issues. Tricia commented that Mrs. Warren in Dr. Luce’s office is not doing a very good job for him.
Randy Clark, the volunteer EMT, speaks up and says that the ambulance service has a similar problem. Gene continues that two local dentists and a chiropractor have similar complaints.
Gene has a possible solution - to set up a independent medical billing corporation, funded by a percentage off the top. He states that the ambulance department and a dentist has agreed to his idea, and he expects others to join. Tricia sees this centralized medical billing group as removing her biggest concern in taking over Dr. Luce’s practice - the business side.
Danny comments that the old appliance store is currently vacant and therefore available as office space right now, with the caveat that it might not work for the long term.
Gene then brings up the old Spearfish Lake Hospital building as a long term solution. Randy brings up that the building needs some work, especially the roof. Gene thinks that he and Dr. York could repurpose it as a medical clinic, as there's enough space to put a joint medical office with shared staff, plus extra space to bring in medical specialists on a regular schedule. Plus the billing group could be there.
Ryan comments that the county still owns the building and would probably be happy to have someone take it off their hands. And there might be some grant money available as well.
Gene closes the medical side of the discussion by asking Tricia what other help she needs, and she states that Dr. Luce's practice needs an office nurse badly, and she doesn't don’t know where to start looking for one. Gene has a young lady RN that he can loan - but he wants her back.
Also Mentioned
- Dr. Herman Luce
- Betty Warren, Dr. Luce's receptionist, office manager and bookkeeper
