The Doctor Is In a Fix
Martin Cahn went into general practice to help people and unravel the mysteries of their ailments. Now he just wishes someone could do the same for a health care system gone critical.
Cahn’s not the only one feeling the squeeze. Some physicians are “going bare,” dispensing with malpractice insurance. Others shake off the shackles of medical insurance, taking only cash—usually affluent—patients. Seattle is a hotbed of this “direct practice” rebellion; high-end “concierge care”—your personal doctor holds your hand even when you visit specialists, like a lawyer accompanying you to court—started here in 1996. It can cost $1,000 a month or more.
A minority of direct practices offer unlimited primary care for monthly fees ordinary workers can afford. One, sponsored by Swedish Medical Center, charges just $45. Now a brash Seattle start-up, backed by early Amazon investor Nick Hanauer, proposes to do for direct practice what Starbucks did for espresso.
“I should have realized it was Oprah. People get all this misinformation from her.”
Qliance’s founders include two physician cousins, Garrison and Erika Bliss, who like Cahn were fed up with what their CEO, Norm Wu, calls the “hamster-wheel -model” of insurance-driven medicine. Qliance’s downtown Seattle prototype offers a “medical home”—primary, urgent, wellness, and preventive care, open seven days a week—for $39 to $79 a month depending on age, more if you want to make hospital visits. Its doctors (for now, anyway) have about 800 patients each, versus the usual 2,000 to 3,000. They gladly answer questions by phone. So does Cahn, but it costs him. Insurance doesn’t pay for phone calls, only office visits, one reason receptionists typically ask you to just make an appointment.
Meanwhile the battle rages over whether to salvage or rebuild America’s health care delivery system. Cahn admits he’s as unsure of the answer as the next citizen, save that “whatever system you get, it’s got to include universal coverage.
“There’s a saying—if you want good-quality care, cheap care, and easy access to that care, pick two out of three. How do you help people in a cost-effective way?” Perhaps with the new “medical home” models? “I’m looking at them,” he said. He knows business as usual isn’t working. “Something’s got to give.”
Published: August 2009
Marty is my first cousin. He inspired me to become a family physician. Thank goodness there are family docs like him!
Great article Martin !! Way to go.
Proud to be a solo family physician.
Martin is my first cousin & he is the only doctor that I know that makes house calls across the country.
When our grandmother was dying he flew clear across the country to make her last days as comfortable as possible. He did the same thing for his uncle, my dad, to help comfort him at the end.
You can’t find doctors today who put the patient first and everything else second. Martin Cahn is a real people’s doctor.
Martin Cahn has been my MD for almost 20 years since I lived on Queen Ann. He delivered my son 13 years ago and has been an important part of our lives. A quick example… I was suffering from chest pain. I went to the emergency room. They kept me under observation for 8 hours – running various tests. They concluded I had heart burn (which I felt was unlikely). They told me to avoid Tylenol as it would make matters worse. After two more days of continued discomfort I saw Dr. Cahn. He diagnosed the real problem within five minutes of seeing me. The sack around my hearty was inflamed and guess what? He prescribed Tylenol to reduce the inflammation and it worked. Think about the cost of that emergency visit… Dr. Cahn is a no-nonsense, practical MD – who always makes time to find out how every aspect of your life is going. I have the greatest admiration for him and his super friendly and thoughtful staff!
Seattle Metropolitan – you got it right! Dr. Martin Cahn is the best doc in all of Seattle! He and his wife are as genuine as anyone can ever be. Also, he and his wife are the best employers anyone can work for. The genuine care they show their patients flows right over to the staff!
For a dozen or so years, Dr. Cahn has been the family physician who is part of my family. My health has become remarkable complex due to my refusing to take it easy when I should. I had fibromyalgia before I met him, became almost perfectly healthy while in his care, but then through my stubbornness developed a rare illness, http://www.stillsdisease.org , plus others. He still comes up with new ideas that help me.
A friend of mine who had done much for me in my life was having problems with deep pain and dense doctors, so I convinced her to try Dr. Cahn. She later told me I’d repaid all her efforts by getting her to switch to him. It’s about time Seattle knew how wonderful a doctor he is.
My husband and I have been patients of Dr Cahn’s for a good 10 years. I cannot tell you how lucky we feel to have him in our lives. He is a great listener and always knows the right questions to ask to get to the bottom of your “situation”. We’ve had many over the years and he has always been incredible with his follow through… from the bloody “gardening accidents” to the more boring high cholesterol levels (which he managed to bring down beautifullly with a combo of statins and good old fish oil!) There have been a few scarier bumps along the way and Dr Cahn has guided us to great specialists everytime. This is one smart doc with a heart of gold….yes, we are very, very lucky indeed!
Great article and kudos to you, Marty. You have been a bulkwark of the primary care structure in Fremont and represent the best of Family Medicine. (Dr. Cahn has voluntarily taught trainees in my Family Medicine program in his “spare time”.
We are all hoping for meaningful reform as you are. I hope the people who read this article really look at the issues, not the propaganda and fear mongering. It is refreshing to see a story about the real life of primary care physicians like yourself.
Great article and kudos to you, Marty. You have been a bulkwark of the primary care structure in Fremont and represent the best of Family Medicine. (Dr. Cahn has voluntarily taught trainees in my Family Medicine program in his “spare time”.
We are all hoping for meaningful reform as you are. I hope the people who read this article really look at the issues, not the propaganda and fear mongering. It is refreshing to see a story about the real life of primary care physicians like yourself.
Dr. Cahn is the best. THE BEST. Our whole family goes there. I cannot even begin to explain how much he means to our family.
I remember when Dr Cahn was in an office on 6th and McGraw on Queen Anne Hill right in our neighborhood. Now that he is in Freemont we still make the trek across the bridge to see him. He is a wonderful doctor and person. He gives so freely of his time and energy to anything that has to do with educating and supporting schools and school kids on Queen Anne and elsewhere. He is the BEST! I also remember Dr Cahn making house calls to elderly people, especially Lucy Brown across the street from us. His compassion to his patients and his dedication to healing with human kindness has always made an impression on me. That is why after 20 years he is still our doctor! To see this article in his office this morning just reaffirmed to me that not only is he wonderful, but that Seattle Metropolitan Magazine tells it like it is!!
Chris McBride
Marty’s been my physician for the last 12 years. His passion for care and compassion for people redeemed the profession in my eyes. He’s handled my routine care and all the oddball stuff, and he delivered my daughter. I’m proud to be his patient and neighbor. Thanks, Marty!
Dr. Cahn has been my doctor for 9 years now. He’s seen me go from fresh out of college to marriage and is now my husband’s doctor and 1 year old’s pediatrician. He takes the time to sit down with you and see how you are realy doing. He even saw my dad when he was in town and not feeling well. My Dad’s doctor said he could get an appointment in two weeks. Dr. Cahn saw my dad the next day. Thank you Dr. Cahn! He also knows exactly which specialist to send you to.
you can always count on Dr. Cahn to put a smile on your face, keep up the steller work and we will see you soon Tim, Barb and Tim Jr :)
Great to see Dr. Cahn being recognized for the excellent patient care he provides. He’s always been there for me and has always looked out for my pocketbook as well.
What a wonderful article on Dr. Cahn. It makes me feel better just reading about his practice and the patients and employees who have made all of these positive comments. I agree with him on Oprah – too many people don’t think for themselves.
I am retiring at the end of this year and will need additional insurance (medical care.) This article gives me other avenues to pursue.
Thank you Metropolitan.
Its nice to have a Doctor who has ’got your back" Will go the extra mile filling out paper work till insurence paper,The IRS the SSI beliving the patent gets what he has coming.He is a Hero to me! David
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