New one-stop cardiology clinic focuses on patient relationships, not insurance

A veteran cardiologist in Billings, Montana, has opened up a new practice designed to reach patients faster and get to know them better.

Pediatric cardiologist Nancy Hua, DO, was looking for a change after spending 10 years working out of hospitals. She opened Peds Happy Hearts to develop closer relationships with her patients and hopefully keep restrictive red tape to a minimum.

KTVQ interviewed Hua about her new venture, noting that she has already treated more than 50 patients.

“I've seen where patients will have to take weeks to months to actually see a specialist,” she said, as quoted by KTVQ. “I think it's important because I feel like as a cardiologist, if you have a heart concern, instead of going to urgent care or the emergency room, I want you to come in and be seen right away.”

One key detail about Hua’s new direct-care practice is that patients pay a fee upfront based on the services they are receiving. She insurance does not dictate whether or not patients are seen or treated. However, a patient’s insurance may still cover the costs after the fact in some cases.  

The ultimate goal, Hua added, is to provide “one-stop cardiology care” and catch heart issues as early as possible.

Click the link below for the full story, including a detailed look at the impact Peds Happy Hearts is making on young patients in Montana:

Michael Walter
Michael Walter, Managing Editor

Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Philips introduced a new CT system at ECR aimed at the rapidly growing cardiac CT market, incorporating numerous AI features to optimize workflow and image quality.

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup