I am asked often about whether an attorney should have a select group of doctors to refer cases to or accept cases from. (By the way, if you are an attorney and you want to market your practice differently than everyone else, check out this website from Virginia Attorney Ben Glass. You will stop worrying about getting referrals from doctors.)
I would limit this or avoid it. In the greater Sacramento four county area we have 3 million people or so. We have thousands of chiropractors. Why can’t I do business with most of them? (There are some who I shouldn’t do business with, but those are different reasons.) Sure, I have one or two who are really good who I love to work with. Good notes, good reports, fair bills. Amazingly, the one I am thinking about right now? Never asked her to reduce a bill. Well, I did just ask her to knock 52 cents off a bill, but that was only because it made my math easier. She is great and I think the world of her, but there is a downside…………
Insurance companies now track data like no one’s business. They might put the NSA to shame with the amount of data they collect. Typical scenario: Claimant is struck by a car. A claim is set up with name, date of birth, address. Heck, some claimants, before they get an attorney, will give up a SS#. Now, insurance company can track any prior claims. We all know this happens. But………….
Claimant treats with you. You give your bill to the attorney. At the top of your bill, you list your EIN or some other identifying number. Now, they have a number to plug in for you. Of course, before I can get paid, I have to give up my EIN thanks to the IRS. Now they can track me. So…………..
Next time I send in a letter of representation, they put me into the system and they know which docs I work with. If they see a pattern of me continually representing Dr. X’s patients, they refer the file to SIU. There may be nothing wrong and everything may be on the up and up, but the case is now substantially harder to settle.
That is why I constantly encourage attorneys (and doctors) to have a group of people to refer to. Sure, if someone is involved in an MVA near my favorite doctor and they have no place else to go, I will give out her name. But, in the course of a year, we may only have 6 or 8 cases together. Not a ton. But, it is the best relationship I have. I know that she will be fair, reasonable and give me documentation to settle the case. I also know that she is 100% supportive if I tell her I need to file, serve or even try the case. Complete trust in my ability to practice law. At the same time, she knows she is going to get paid. I will pay her in full before I take a fee. She knows I know what I am doing and will get the client the best possible settlement. It’s a win-win and has nothing to do with volume.
Avoid referrals with one or two or a small group of doctors. The bigger your pool, the easier it is to avoid the SIU trap.
a haha. this is too much fun.
Posted by: ugg outlet | November 06, 2010 at 12:30 AM
Well, pretty much, that's why I always like having my own doctor and never changing.. sometimes you get the worst surprises!
Posted by: Viagra Online | November 08, 2010 at 07:16 AM
Hey this situation remains me when I changed my own doctor and was terrible, specially 'cause he was pretty young and he didn't know anything of been a Chiropractor.
Posted by: Generic Viagra | November 09, 2010 at 07:18 AM
I'd like to actually be more a part of this blog and know what great things you have to offer I think if you write more original blogs like this you can improve the website.
Posted by: Internet Services Provider | December 10, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Incredible, I am so very impressed by your creativity. I think this piece of information was really worth my time. What a subtle and fascinating method of narrating exciting stuff! Thanks buddy for acquainting us with this.
Posted by: Generic Viagra | February 13, 2011 at 09:36 PM
yeah, I'm totally agree with you, if you send your client to a single doctor the can trace you
Posted by: Metro Ethernet | May 15, 2011 at 08:26 AM
very warm greetings to all readers of this blog, regarding this article I would like to add that I found very creative, some time ago I tried to blog and the result was not very good, apart this I believe that the information is also cool. In general, congratulations to all who are related to the creation of this article.
Posted by: florida internet | June 12, 2011 at 05:25 PM
beautiful feathers with blood Cuise aside, the best of each take only a few birds. the bird, ah, painful death are alive. these years, how many innocent people ... ... "This years, the number of
Posted by: North Face Jackets | July 13, 2011 at 03:06 AM
So cute! I already like you on FB and also get your posts on Google Reader. :)
Posted by: new jordan retro | September 25, 2011 at 09:33 PM
Those are super cute. I like you on Facebook.
Posted by: supra vaider shoes | October 03, 2011 at 08:14 AM
Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.
Posted by: supra vaider shoes | October 05, 2011 at 04:54 PM
This is so true. I'll definitely check the website out.
Posted by: chiropractor Hornsby pinched nerve | October 13, 2011 at 02:31 AM
Straight chiropractors adhere to the philosophical principles set forth by D.D. and B.J. Palmer, and retain metaphysical definitions and vitalistic qualities.
Posted by: credit expert | October 25, 2011 at 02:51 AM
while the webpages we link to below are completely unrelated to ours, we believe they are worth a read, so have a look
Posted by: abercrombie clearance | November 02, 2011 at 11:02 PM