Value vs. Price: Are You Worth It?
Value vs. Price: Are You Worthy of the Investment?
What a Needoh, a father-in-law's favorite question, and a decade of medical bills taught me about paying for what actually matters.
Of all the stories my husband tells about his upbringing, perhaps the most revisited tale revolves around spending money — specifically, how do you know you're choosing wisely?
My father-in-law is often quoted as asking:
"Are you SURE that's how you want to use your money?"
Of course, the ensuing conversation revolved around the (then) child's desire to have the thing versus the relative worth of the item.
This childhood lesson reverberates through the decades and impacts today's money conversations, both between us and with our own children.
What is a worthy investment? Will you regret trading your money for the item of the moment (let's be honest — it's usually a Needoh)? Are you wasting the chance to use that hard-earned cash on something better?
We Ask the Same Question About Healthcare — We Just Don't Realize It
Similarly, most of us contribute a large chunk of our monthly income to guarantee access to medical care — but do we ever really feel like we get what we're paying for? Does the investment guarantee long-term health and happiness?
As a physician working outside of the traditional insurance framework, I've had to grow accustomed to discussing money with my patients.
For many years, I was shielded from the money conversation by layers of bureaucracy, administrators, insurance policies, and the devaluing idea of a co-pay. Because of these layers, no one — not the patient, the doctor, the pharmacy, the radiologist, even the insurance company representative — could ever really tell for sure what a visit or medication might cost.
That uncertainty was, and is, maddening for physicians and frustrating for patients. I'm sure many of you have had the pleasure of opening an explanation of benefits, only to find you're unexpectedly on the hook for hundreds or even thousands of dollars for necessary medical care.
Why I Do Things Differently
I knew when I started my own practice that I didn't want to be the cause of someone's heart sinking at the sight of another medical bill — so my prices are clearly listed on my website.
And I wanted to give women what they're so desperately seeking:
- Guaranteed time with a doctor who really listens to their concerns
- Validation of their experience — not dismissal of it
- Solutions and a comprehensive action plan they can actually follow
So there it is: you know what you're getting, and you know what it will cost.
I hope you find yourself worthy of the investment.
With much love,
Dr. Riedel
Magnolia Midlife visits are eligible for payment through your HSA or FSA account, making it easier to invest in transparent, unhurried care without added financial guesswork.
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