tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11034229.post6011928775997670837..comments2023-07-14T02:53:40.719-07:00Comments on retired doc's thoughts: Off the grid or black market medicinejames gaultehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05537303135780186926noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11034229.post-6160485916955655692007-12-28T08:45:00.000-08:002007-12-28T08:45:00.000-08:00Dr.Gaulte,Thanks for commenting on my post regardi...Dr.Gaulte,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for commenting on my post regarding Black Market healthcare. <BR/><BR/>Actually, I agree entirely that retainier medicine is not Black Market (at least, as you insightfully point out, not yet). In n a retainer practice the physician still interfaces fully with the healthcare system. That is, the retainier practitioner still refers patients to specialists, orders tests from legitimate labs, and above all, keeps records. It would be difficult to really and truly “stay off the grid” by going to a concierge practitioner, as the patients’ medical records would still be carefully maintained, and would certainly be discoverable.<BR/><BR/>Again, not to push too far a point that was meant to be at least somewhat tongue-in-cheek, when I say “Black Market” I really mean it. I mean back-alley, clandestine medical pratitioners who dispense medical services on the sly, keeping traceable records no more assiduously than did the old 1960s abortionists. And like the old illegal abortionists, this would be very bad medical practice, often harmful, most certainly illegal - and would fit the definition of Black Market.<BR/><BR/>That the current system is dysfunctional enough that such a thing might soon become thinkable - and for the same reason illegal abortion was once thinkable, that is, because at least some patients were sufficiently desperate to demand the service - is my point.<BR/><BR/>DrRich<BR/>covertraioningblog.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com