Comments on: Tax Incentives for Providing On-Call Care

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:51:05 +0000

I guess it’s better than nothing, but holy cow could they possibly make things any more complicated? Hawaii’s bill is going to cost the state $1500 per doctor in tax credits, plus another $500 per doctor just figuring out who gets paid and how much.

It would be much more efficient to just pay doctors a market price for their labor.

Is there an accountants’ lobby that’s behind this?

By: Gardenqueen

Gardenqueen — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:19:52 +0000

Would be pretty hard for the insurance companies to decide not to pay for that one.

By: EMT-TB

EMT-TB — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:33:42 +0000

I’m most interested to see the 49:7 ratio of non-physicians to physicians reading this article.

By: DrD

DrD — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:05:37 +0000

The amount of these tax credits is ridiculous. Personally, when I’ve been on call, I’d have gladly PAID some of these amounts to get a good night’s sleep (and I’m in a specialty that is considered primary care, so it’s not like I make alot). Maybe the hospitals can be given tax credits or other incentives to pay MDs a base salary for being on call, as well as for seeing pts. Currently, at one place I work, I’m paid a small amount just to be available. If I’m actually called to do something, I get paid (by the agency) for that, too. I don’t have to bill the patient (and thus pay for a billing service), or even think about what the insurance is. Not having to deal with any paperwork/denials, etc. would be an additional incentive, I would think.

By: CardioNP

CardioNP — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:20:28 +0000

I agree w/ C. Good idea, but those tax credits don’t seem like much incentive to me.

By: PeterW

PeterW — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:17:46 +0000

These tax credits are not nearly enough to change behavior, but maybe they can be a bridgehead to more substantive incentives.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 07:40:37 +0000

These credits aren’t a substitute for fair compensation, but its a step in the right direction. Unless the time the accountant takes getting you these credits cost more than you get from them.

By: C.

C. — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:47:05 +0000

I think it’s a good idea, however the tax credits need to be far higher than what is suggested. With those presented it’s not worth it for a doc to take the call.

Just a quick side note. I had an ortho do an ORIF on me last year. Since then he has stopped taking outside patients and only takes call. Just for the call he does three days/nights a week, he makes a killing despite the non payers. He does nothing but surgeries from the ER.

By: Nurse K

Nurse K — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 01:32:16 +0000

As a general rule, being forced to provide services to patients without regard for their ability to pay should carry with it a significant tax credit. I think if the hospital pays the MDs to take call over a certain dollar amount (whether or not they answer a page or come in or whatever) that the tax credit should be waived, however.

By: DaveyNC

DaveyNC — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:29:18 +0000

It’s not a bad idea, but it would be better to address the underlying reasons for why there aren’t enough emergency physicians. It’s just a Band-Aid.