Posted on 11/24/2012 8:49:23 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Obama won, Obamacare is the law, and, as my wife says, I will just have to learn to dance to a new song.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Obamacare is awful. Forget all the “free stuff” it provides. Children covered on their parents’ plan until 26 years of age? A scam, making young adults — excuse me, children — pay for complete, comprehensive health insurance when all they need and should pay for is major catastrophe insurance. Then there is the “annual ” or “preventative” exam, which according to Obamacare is “free.”
You gotta love this stuff. I wish I had the chutzpah of the people who wrote Obamacare. What they did not tell you, and I am, is that it covers absolutely nothing more than the bare minimum.
I have now posted a notice in my office and each exam room stating exactly what Obamacare will cover for those yearly visits. Remember Obama promised this as a free exam — no co-pay, no deductible, no charge. That’s fine and dandy if you are healthy and have no complaints. However, we are obligated by law to code specifically for the reason of the visit. An annual exam is one specific code; you can not mix this with another code, say, for rectal bleeding. This annual visit covers the exam and “discussion about the status of previously diagnosed stable conditions.” That’s the exact wording under that code — insurance will not cover any new ailment under that code.
If you are here for that annual exam, you will not be covered if you want to discuss any new ailment or unstable condition. I cannot bait and switch to another code — that’s illegal. We, the physicians, are audited all the time and can lose our license for insurance fraud.
You, the patient, will then have to make a decision.
Do you want your “free” yearly exam, or do you want to pay for a visit which is coded for a particular, new problem? You can have my “free” exam if you only discuss what Obamacare wants me to discuss.
This happened to me personally, as a patient, when I went for my physical. It is the law. If you are complaining of a new problem, then you have to reschedule, since Obamacare is very clear as to what is covered and what is not. Obamacare — intentionally — makes it as difficult to be seen and taken care of as possible.
Patients can be very tricky. I have had patients make an “annual” exam, only to want to discuss and be treated for another ailment. I can’t do it.
I can hear the complaints from you guys already — I become the bad guy. “Why don’t you just take care of the problem, and not bill out any different code? You’re a rich doctor, and we are entitled to free stuff.”
It doesn’t work that way. First, doctors are not rich and, like most of you, actually work terribly hard for a living. Second, Obamacare is the law — and as I said earlier, we are audited all the time now.
Also — I don’t ask for free gas when I go to the gas station, or ask for free food from the supermarket. Additionally, Obamacare has a 23% cut in Medicare reimbursement to doctors and hospitals.
These lower payments won’t cover the cost of staying in practice to take care of the patient.
Private doctors are becoming a thing of the past. By 2014, less than 25% of physicians will be in private medicine. Obama was right in stating you can keep your doctor if you want to — the problem is he or she will rarely be available.
On top of all of that, doctors will be obligated — that’s right, obligated — to talk to you about things you may have no interest or need to talk about.
You may just want to have a pap smear or check your cholesterol. However, I am now mandated by the government to talk to you about your weight, exercise, family life, smoking, sexual abuse(!), and even to ask if you wear seat belts. And I am mandated to record your answers.
I am a physician. But I need to tell you to wear a seat belt and then record your answer.
I have received interesting responses from my patients since I put up the notice. Almost all are supportive and totally understand. The very few who complain? The same patients who always ask for free samples, who always complain that we do not validate parking. These are also the same patients who call my office and ask for free samples even when they are not even being seen.
Obamacare and its 2,000-plus pages are here to stay. I will still give my patients 100% of my time, energy, and knowledge. I still love being a doctor — my patients’ doctor. I will, however, abide by the law and follow it to the letter. I will have to learn this new dance. “Free” has its price.
the general public is getting no exit or alternative strategy form doctors.
The general public is not aware that the AMA is pro abortion, and definitely not aware that they are in a minority.
The general public is getting no guidance form doctora at all. They are hearing nothing regarding what they are in for.
THey are not aware, generally, that many doctors will retire, slinking out without telling patients what to do.
Just saying.
If your being treated by a liberal doctor who voted for Obamacare you better have 4 legs and a tail. ;-)
you’re
What guidance would you have us give? The public voted for obamacare elections have consequences. The only guidance I can give anyone is todo what I am doing. Vote. Be vocal with your representatives make it clear to the government that this is unacceptable. Pray.
The average Joe MD, working in the trenches has a very LOW opinion of the AMA. The AMA is simply an arm of the democratic party. Made up of academic MDs, and hospital administrators/paper pushers.
When Obamacare was "endorsed" by those pieces of $hit AMA members in the Rose Garden, I almost threw up. They had the "doctors" wearing obviously recently unwrapped white coats to make them look all doctory. They still had the folds in them.
I bet not even a handful actually are in practice seeing real, live patients.
Ah, no. It is well known that it was railed against and shoved our way.
Or what? If I refuse to answer do you not provide treatment?
From The Hippocratic Oath: What I may see or hear in the course of the treatment or even outside of the treatment in regard to the life of men, which on no account one must spread abroad, I will keep to myself holding such things shameful to be spoken about.
Where is Fred Sanford when you need him?
You are not on medicare right?
Rats, they been keeping that secret.
I can see a lot of those sup-par students who aspired to become teachers will now become doctors. Our med schools will turn out inferior doctors the way our edu schools turn out inferior (but so proud of themselves) teachers. Also factor in the affirmative action angles which will make our doctor situation even worse
There will be no shortage of youngsters who will want to become wage earner doctors working on the Federale Gov’t plantation. Only problem is you won’t want to get treated by such doctors
check out this comment relating to importing doctors for 0-care to fill in the gaps. My point is there are many 3rd worlders who would love to be wage-slave doctors under 0-Care. Accepting compensation and working conditions our older American doctors would find insulting and will walk out on or retire >>>>>>
Rich K
This is true,especially up in Canada. My friend lives in BC and the wait for a simple visit is 90 days minimum,no exceptions. And all or most of the docs are Indies. And the best part is most speak sh_t English so getting understood is even a problem. Start practicing your Hindi folks.
November 25, 2012 - 1:56 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
After you have re-attached your a, please be advised that I am on Medicare and that my doctor does not regard Obozocare as good for him, good for me, or good for anyone else.
Ring. Hello, Dr so and so's office.
I would like to make an appointment.
What is you insurance carrier?
Medicare. Click.
That is the reality, for anyone that has had to change insurance carriers, or had to move to a new community.
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