Several of us have long been wowed by Love Peace Popcorn in Frisco, and we’ve decided they’re worth our recognition as Business of the Week! Here’s why -

On one of our visits, Gary and Liza Paparella, Love Peace Popcorn’s owners, helped one of our doctors choose a selection for an upcoming event. Not only did they work to come up with an outstanding array that fit her budget, they also were able to professionally print her logo on the popcorn bags! After promptly filling Dr. Lori Tieperman’s order, they called her, had everything ready to go when she arrived, and took the time to help her load her car.

During another visit, even though customers filled the store (we know why), Vannessa managed to calmly take care of everyone without appearing stressed or rushed. In fact, everyone at “Love Peace” reflects their business name! Nor do they treat telephone customers as second-rate, as many business owners do. Vannessa gave her undivided attention to each person, filling orders, answering the phone, and making helpful suggestions, without making anyone wait long.

Admittedly, we personally were most excited that they actually had tins for Ohio State Buckeye fans. Joe, my husband and co-owner of Metro Doctors Group, bought one filled with chocolate peanut butter popcorn for our granddaughter, whose room is a shrine for the Buckeyes. I don’t know for certain, but I suspect he bought more than what’s sitting on our kitchen counter right now. If that’s the case, it didn’t make it home.

Thanks for the delicious popcorn, Love Peace Popcorn, the great service, and the special things you do for your customers. We’ll send customers your way!

Mary

Love Peace Popcorn
8873 Coleman Blvd
Frisco, TX 75034
214-705-9666

Do you ever get the feeling when you walk into a doctors’ office that everyone feels a “calling” to be there? Not just the doctors, not just the nurses, but each and every staff member? That’s the feeling we get every time we walk through the door of Baylor Family Medicine at Uptown! Of course you’ll love the doctors and medical staff here, but meet the three women who greet you over the phone and when you walk through the door:

Peggy, Ashlie and Brittney

When you call them, you’ll always feel warmly welcomed. They’re cheerful and kind – always. When it’s your turn to be helped, they give you their undivided attention. They’re extremely busy but they handle a multitude of tasks with a calm demeanor. Little wonder that in the dozens of times we’ve been there, patients in the waiting room seem so relaxed. Peggy, Ashlie and Brittney create that kind of atmosphere.

We never have to wait very long to be acknowledged, and when we are, we always feel they’re glad to see us. From what we hear, they make everyone feel that way. This is a smooth-running office with Fabulous written on it from start to finish.

Don’t get us wrong. We love the doctors here. We just feel that the doctors’ staff often doesn’t get the recognition they deserve and that’s what we’re here for!

Thanks to Peggy, Ashlie, Brittney and everyone else at Baylor Uptown – you are top-notch in every way.

If you’re looking for a family doctor, we recommend this office and these doctors: Drs Susanne Yeagley, Julia Graves, Jun Kong, and Anitha Veerasamy.

Mary & Joe

Metro Doctors Group

http://www.metrodoctorsgroup.com/

214-499-6468

I continue to be impressed by companies that continue to feel that people who create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for customers are not dispensable. So first, thanks to the Tom Thumb stores and all others who pay people to greet customers at the door.

A special recognition, however, is in order for Alison Rorie at the Duncanville Tom Thumb.

Alison has greeted me dozens of times as I walk through the door, and her constant enthusiasm makes me wonder if she might not own the store. Alison has always been more than a greeter, though. She wants to make sure that I don’t wander aimlessly through the store for ten minutes looking for the item I’ve come for. And if I hesitate, she’ll go with me to find the item – or she’ll get someone to help me. Alison, I and others who shop at Tom Thumb appreciate your bright smile, your enthusiasm, and your helpful attitude.

We’re rewarding Alison with a special gift bag that includes a gift certificate to her favorite shop or restaurant, and lots of nice goodies.

Thanks, Alison, for being the first of many pleasant faces I see at Tom Thumb in Duncanville, and for making sure I always promptly find what I need. You’re great!

Mary

Understandably, I get lots of questions about workers comp.

Let me answer one of them today: “why can’t I file on my health insurance?”

First of all, you buy different insurance policies for specific reasons. If you fall and injure yourself in someone else’s home, their home owners insurance will take care of you. Life insurance is for…. death! Unless you specifically reject it, your auto insurance will have a “personal injury protection” clause that covers your health needs when you’ve been involved in an auto accident. Health insurance often doesn’t cover these injuries simply because you have another insurance policy that does.

It’s the same way with workers compensation. If you’re hurt on the job, another type of insurance simply isn’t responsible to pay. Depending on the size of the business you work for, they’ll carry workers comp insurance to cover work injuries.

In Texas, however, the laws are a bit more complicated. Some years ago, networks were formed, similar to the manner in which health insurance moved to HMOs and PPOs. Although some doctors can treat “out of network”, you still have to go to a doctor who’s designated to treat work injuries.

I’ll blog more about company doctors and other aspects of workers comp in the near future, but for now, know that Metro Doctors Group is committed to ensuring that people injured at work receive the best care in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Our facilities are clean and upscale and our doctors care deeply for their patients.

Call us anytime Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 5 and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.

214-499-6468.

Have a safe and pleasurable week,

Mary

According to a study published in the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, doctors who get do not typically get sued make as many medical mistakes as doctors who do get sued. The difference? It was in how the doctor spoke to her patient. “When a patient has a bad medical result,” Malcolm quotes malpractice attorney Alice Burkin, “the doctor has to take the time to explain what happened, and to answer the patient’s questions – to treat him like a human being. The doctors who don’t are the ones who get sued.” (p 41)

Because I own a medical and chiropractic marketing firm, this information is particularly interesting to me. This is, however, pertinent advice for everyone, not just doctors.

Showing interest and/or concern through listening is a must-have trait for all business owners and various levels of management. Most of us may not worry much about getting sued, but we still can find an edge over our competition by being fully there for a client, patient or customer.

One of the main ways we can do this is to avoid becoming defensive when we’re criticized. Take a step back, a deep breath. Remind yourself that you aren’t perfect, regardless of how hard you try to be. Most importantly, look at the complaint as honestly as you can. Do you see your clients’ side of the story, or are you merely interested in protecting yourself?

Try to resolve the issue. And try to do so with a great deal of compassion.

You’ll be a better person for it, you might improve an aspect of your business – and you’ll have a better chance of preserving your good reputation.

Mary

You know you’re in for fabulous treatment as soon as you walk into Dr. Jerry Johnson’s office. Candles, a small rock garden and a waterfall line the entryway. Bosque, Dr. Johnson’s black lab/golden retriever may gently greet you, then lie down in the corner. The staff welcomes children and Bosque will babysit while you’re seeing the doctor. Diana, Dr. Johnson’s caring, vibrant assistant will offer you something to drink and make sure you feel relaxed and cared for.

Patients constantly comment on how personable Dr. Johnson is, and they can’t say enough about his gentle chiropractic technique. Our entire staff uses Dr. Johnson when we’re working in the Carrollton area and we can’t say enough about him, either!

Among the relaxing therapies offered at this clinic is hydrotherapy. Within a relatively private room, you’ll lie down on what looks like a water bed. Jets of water pulsate in a circular motion at the base of your spine and move upwards onto your neck. Ahhh.

It’s time to take care of your health and we recommend Dr. Jerry Johnson as our outstanding Doctor of the Week.

Here’s his contact information!

Dr. Jerry Johnson
Back and Neck Care Center
1502 E. Beltline Rd
Carrollton, Texas 75006
972-466-2273

Here’s to your health!

Mary

As a business owner, I’m always observing the way other people run their businesses. I do look for negative stuff to avoid, but more importantly, I look for positive aspects to emulate. In fact, I want to improve on the great ideas that others have and/or tweak them to suit my own business. I’m also constantly reminded, as I look around me, at how it really is the little things that count.

Recent example. I was at a Chili’s restaurant where I was greeted by at least two people, one of whom opened the door for me. Often, at other restaurants, I often wait by the hostess’ station wondering whether I should just seat myself. The latter have responded to the financial crisis by cutting corners, whereas Chilis is doing what it can to ensure its customers return.

That wasn’t all. The hostess noticed I had a newspaper tucked under my arm and said, “I’m seating you where it’s a little quieter so you can concentrate on your reading.”

Nice!

Then, because they were extremely busy (no wonder!), the server brought me free chips and hot sauce to make up for the minimal extra wait.

And do you ever notice that at most Chilis, the server will bring you a second and third drink before you’ve even had time to notice that your current one is getting low?

Chilis is a place where I notice all the good things I want to do as a business owner.

And although I find great service at most of their locations, I want to award a particular one my “business of the week” notice, with a special nod to a particular employee who sincerely cares about the people she encounters. And the winner is….

Chilis in North Richland Hills, 8000 Bedford Euless Rd, 817-577-1245 – thanks, Chelsea, for noticing I needed a quiet place to read my paper.

Chelsea will be entered in our monthly drawing for two nice prizes.

Mary

What’s third party, why do so many doctors refuse to take it, and how do I handle this situation?

Few things related to auto accidents confuse people more than this. But both the definition and the reason doctors, by and large, refuse to file third party is really quite simple, as is the solution to the problem.

First, the definition: third party is simply when you want to file on someone else’s insurance.

Second, why do so few doctors file third party? I was in an accident and I don’t want file on my insurance. The other guy’s insurance said they’d pay. What’s the problem?

I worked at a clinic in a Dallas suburb for 15 years, and several times a week, insurance companies would approve treatment for the patient, even giving us a claim number, but when they received the bill from us, which was always beyond reasonable, the insurance often refused to pay. Because it wasn’t the patient’s insurance, neither the patient nor the doctor had much “clout” with the insurance company. The doctor was often the one who took the loss – often, a complete loss.

So what’s the solution?

The very best solution is just to use your own auto insurance (health insurance usually won’t pay – more on this later). PIP (personal injury protection) is the very best insurance you can possibly have, and in Texas, unless you have signed a statement with your auto insurance declining PIP, if you have full coverage, you have PIP. There’s rarely a deductible, no co-pay, and it doesn’t affect your premium. Many, although not all of our doctors, accept PIP.

Second option: occasionally, your health insurance will pay, although our doctors offices will have to verify it before you come in for your appointment. In virtually all of these cases, though, your health insurance will simply bill the responsible auto insurance for reimbursement, so there’s really not a good reason to go this route unless, of course, you don’t have PIP. In addition, using health insurance will leave you having to pay a deductible and/or co-pay.

A third option is to get legal representation. We can recommend law firms that abide by the highest standards of ethics. In fact, no one who belongs to Metro Doctors Group will work with an attorney who is known for questionable behavior. So if you’re planning on taking this route, be sure and check with us first. There are attorneys we simply will not work with.

Finally, we do have a few – a very few – doctors in some areas of the Metroplex who will file third party. Depending on the insurance company and our doctors’ past experience with each one individually, that’s sometimes a possibility.

If you have any further questions, Joe and I are always here to help in every way possible. We work with all kinds of doctors and many other health professionals throughout the Metroplex. Our goal is to be the Rolls Royce service in the field of health care. With us, you’ll always have the most personal and careful attention. We’ll offer you what no other referral service offers – a personal recommendation to health care professionals we know and trust.

Mary Blye Howe
Metro Doctors Group
www.MetroDoctorsGroup.com
214-499-6468

Some days you should read my other blog, especially the latest entry called Some Days. www.20MillionEasySteps.com

Several times each week, patients call me and ask, “Why won’t my doctor see me? She’s been my doctor for fifteen years. I had an auto accident. I don’t understand.”

There are two primary reasons.

One is that health insurance typically won’t pay for injuries incurred in an auto accident, so your doctor has to file on auto insurance. Auto insurance may have to “close” a case before they’ll pay, so that means your doctor may have to wait longer to get paid.

The other, and more prominent, reason is that the doctor fears there might be legal difficulties. One doctor I know took a patient who had suffered what at first seemed to be minor injuries. Even then, the patient had to pay cash, so the doctor felt OK seeing her. Her pain, however, didn’t go away, and she had to begin fighting the insurance company to pay her medical bills. Her doctor had to shut his office down for two days to serve as a witness at a trial.

So you can see what doctors often face when they see patients injured in an auto accident.

Let me say, then, first of all, don’t blame your doctor. It isn’t her fault that there are sometimes difficulties with insurance companies. If you use our services, we ask that you return to your regular doctor when your treatment is complete.

Second, we have doctors in most areas of expertise in most areas of Dallas and Fort Worth who are set up to handle these sometimes difficult insurance problems. We specialize in providing top quality referrals, and we refer only to doctors who have been recommended to us, or whom we personally know and can recommend. If there’s a problem with one of our doctors, we’ll be there to resolve the situation. If you need a second referral to a different kind of doctor, we’ll help. And we’ll always follow up to make sure you received the best care possible.

Call us Monday through Friday 8:30 to 5:00 at 214-499-6468. Joe or I will always be on hand to help you.

Mary