After a successful career as a clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and more recently as a general surgeon in St. Albans, Vermont, Dr. Christopher Bartels decided to retire.
Retirement didn’t last long. In addition to realizing winters can feel quite long and dark, Dr. Bartels couldn’t help thinking about the long waits for health care and the rising costs of health insurance in the state, where 41% of Vermonters have insurance deductibles over $4,000 and fewer than 20% ever meet the deductible. He also knew from experience the high administrative costs to medical providers that came from managing submissions, denials and reimbursements.
He was called to practice again, but he knew he wanted to do it differently.
Welcome to Green Mountain Hernia Specialists and the Direct Care Model
With a goal to make routine surgical care accessible and affordable, Dr. Bartels opened Green Mountain Hernia Specialists in Colchester, Vermont. He offers minimally invasive hernia surgery, gallbladder removal, and hemorrhoidal banding in the office or a hemorrhoidectomy in the operating room. He can also perform biopsies of skin lesions very quickly in the office and excise skin lesions there too.
What is the Direct Care Model
Direct Care surgical practice means that the patient pays for the surgeon’s fee, but the facility fee and anesthesia fee can be paid out of their existing health insurance. There is no need for a full staff of billers, coders, and insurance liaisons. Patients can be seen much quicker, and more time can be spent with each patient. Health Savings Accounts, or Flexible Spending Accounts, both pre tax dollars, can be used for payment as well. Care Credit, which is interest free for 6 months, is also offered.
To learn more or to make an appointment, visit GreenMountainHerniaSpecialists.com
