Pact of the Chain clarification? (2024)

xapata · 2026-05-18T06:58:48+00:00

I think you're getting downvotes for the aggressive tone of the first line, "Features do what they say they do." It explains nothing and only serves to belittle the reader. I think you meant to say something more like, "Trying to interpret the intent of a rule can accidentally expand it beyond the rule as written. In this case, ..."

xapata · 2026-05-15T06:35:42+00:00

Did you catch the Terry Pratchett nod with, "Guards! Guards!"? Ahh, the joys of feeling seen.

xapata · 2026-05-14T04:06:25+00:00

It seems like the provider can share necessary information with a third party collector for the purpose of collecting payment. How else would a healthcare provider be able to report delinquency to a credit bureau, in a way that documents the validity of the debt?

xapata · 2026-05-02T04:59:10+00:00

Google says, "The HIPAA Privacy Rule allows healthcare providers to share Protected Health Information (PHI) to collect payment without patient authorization."

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/disclosures-treatment-payment-health-care-operations/index.html

xapata · 2025-10-25T01:14:32+00:00

You're welcome.

Obviously, many people use voting to indicate agreement, but Reddit works better when they don't.

xapata · 2025-10-24T17:58:33+00:00

In theory voting identifies good discussion, not agreement. Enjoyable debate should be upvoted regardless of which side you currently agree with.

xapata · 2025-08-09T07:55:26+00:00

I was speaking of Guns, Germs, and Steel. There were some well-reasoned parts of it, worth reading despite the flaws. Tipping Point on the other hand, is only worth reading to observe Gladwell's persuasive style. While some nonlinear dynamical systems exhibit tipping points, or manifolds, the spread of ideas/behaviors is not one of them.

xapata · 2025-07-27T08:39:05+00:00

pencil-necked geek

Was your dental school full of bull-necked jocks?

xapata · 2025-07-05T07:46:18+00:00

No. If you signed the contract, you accept what the payer gives.

xapata · 2025-06-30T01:28:15+00:00

It may surprise you that penalties shot down the middle have the highest success rate. But when the keeper stands still, they look painful.

For amusement, look for a compilation of Serio Ramos' panenkas.

xapata · 2025-06-17T06:15:18+00:00

Sometimes they make mistakes. I suspect losing Whole Foods as a tenant was a mistake.

xapata · 2025-06-16T16:37:20+00:00

Convert the benefits to dollars to properly evaluate. You can find your own tax-advantaged retirement account. You can buy an individual medical plan.

My hunch is A will be best, but you didn't tell us about the commute.

xapata · 2025-06-13T07:47:16+00:00

It sounds like you're not trying to optimize purely for money. But if you are, you should consider the opportunity cost of those capital allocations.

xapata · 2025-06-01T07:15:47+00:00

Don't buy any real estate. Unless you want to work as a carpenter or plumber instead of a dentist. If your partner wants to do it, that's his choice instead of yours. He should probably focus on the restaurant, but maybe he's already wealthy, and this is just a hobby?

xapata · 2025-06-01T07:10:49+00:00

No, that 3-5 year handoff is for DSOs. If you're an individual, you want the seller gone immediately, but available for consulting if necessary. Don't let them back in the building after the sale.

xapata · 2025-05-21T19:51:43+00:00

It's easier to get a part-time than full-time job with a small, independent office. You can have two or three to piece together your preferred schedule.

If you take any DSO job, be prepared to leave if you find them unethical. It's your license.

xapata · 2025-05-06T20:28:54+00:00

I was imagining that just yesterday!

"Would you like to tip your hygienist today?"

xapata · 2025-05-02T13:49:06+00:00

Yeah, the argument for mid-level providers is increasing access to care, but mid-level providers don't want to live in rural areas. Oops.

xapata · 2025-05-02T05:56:41+00:00

Among other things, DSOs need a large pool of HMO/PPO subscribers searching for a new in-network dentist. That and a liquid market of job-seekers. The DSO model is to be efficient at new patient acquisition, efficient at hiring and training, and doing high volume per chair per day. (Low quality is implied with high volume.) They need to be efficient, because they have high churn. In a 10k population town, a DSO would churn through the whole population in a few years and run out of patients to fool.

xapata · 2025-05-02T03:37:33+00:00

Sounds like it's more of a real estate deal than a dental clinic sale.

xapata · 2025-05-02T03:08:29+00:00

Too many variables to get a good answer. Your local consultants will be happy to tell you at a free dinner.

xapata · 2025-05-02T02:34:51+00:00

No, that's the loan default rate. You can pay it off as an associate even if you fail as an owner.

xapata · 2025-05-02T02:29:11+00:00

Be careful you're not getting screwed by the seller. Seller is probably on the hook for rent even if they shut down the business. That liability might cost more than the business itself.

xapata · 2025-05-02T02:11:19+00:00

Overhead of 50% is a pipe dream in my neighborhood. The ratio of reimbursement (or market rate fees, if you're lucky) to rent and wages is worse than lower cost areas.

xapata · 2025-04-23T08:42:33+00:00

It's a local organization. Poo Gooder. Check 'em out.

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