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Video: ObamaCare enrollee can’t get doctor to see her
Hot Air ^ | February 20, 2014 | Ed Morrissey

Posted on 02/20/2014 5:13:06 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

CBS affiliates bring us two updates on the ongoing disaster of Covered California, the ObamaCare exchange in the Golden State that has begun to look a lot more like Uncovered Californians. In Sacramento, Nick Janes reports on the plight of Katherine Cadman, who eagerly signed up for an insurance policy through the state’s exchange — and then tried to use it to see a doctor. Doctors, however, are not anxious to see customers from ObamaCare plans, thanks to the lousy reimbursement rates:

(VIDEO-AT-LINK)

One viewer said she did months of research before picking the plan that Blue Cross recommended. But it’s still been a nightmare.

Katherine Cadman says her emails and calls aren’t getting anywhere. She says she signed up for an Anthem Blue Cross Plan, but doctors keep refusing to see her.

“It’s just not right,” she said. “It does make you feel like you’re a second-class citizen.”

Chris and Tammy Dunn told us the same exact thing about their experience trying to find a doctor to fix Chris’ back. He says an in-network doctor turned him down.

“I haven’t slept in four months,” said Chris.

When we again reached out to Anthem again for answers on Wednesday and they issued the following statement:

“Our records indicate that this doctor has a contract with Anthem Blue Cross to treat our Covered CA members, and we will reach out to him to determine what the issue is.”

The doctor apparently was on the plan … emphasis on the past tense. The providers in question decided not to provide service under the reduced reimbursement rates that Anthem’s ObamaCare-compliant plan delivers. That’s his choice; doctors don’t have to accept insurance plans, after all, especially if the reimbursement doesn’t cover his or her costs to provide services. That, however, leaves Covered California consumers asking this question:

“What are we left with as far as being Covered California subscribers?” Cadman asked. “The bottom of the barrel?”

When payments get cut to bottom-of-barrel rates, what do consumers expect to happen?

In the San Francisco area, they’re discovering that the doctors that will accept them work in areas they’d rather not visit:

(VIDEO-AT-LINK)

California’s health care exchange promised potential customers they would have enough physicians to choose from. But some new enrollees, including an Alameda County woman, are discovering that their doctor choices are extremely limited.

Julia Turner is surprised that she even has to search for a doctor. When she signed up for a policy through Covered California late last year, her long-time physician was listed as participating in her Blue Shield plan. It turned out; however, that he is not accepting patients with her Blue Shield policy, purchased on the Covered California exchange.

When Turner called around to find someone else to treat her, she got more frustration. “The only doctors accepting new patients are urgent care clinics,” Turner told KPIX 5 ConsumerWatch.

None of the doctors are located in the city in which she lives. Instead, Turner said, “They are in areas of East Oakland that have a lot of violence.”

Only one doctor on the Blue Shield list for Turner’s plan in her area was both board-certified and accepting new adult patients … out of 41 listed. KPIX got Blue Shield to add her existing doctor into the network, but Turner isn’t happy with the outcome:

“This is not what we were promised. I see those (Covered California) commercials now and I want to scream,” Turner said.

Yes. You were promised a free lunch, and expected that to be realistic. The laws of supply and demand, and cost and pricing, do not get wished away or legislated out of existence.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; US: California
KEYWORDS: california; medicine; obamacare; socializedmedicine
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To: OldPossum

Yes.......elections DO have consequences.


21 posted on 02/20/2014 6:47:20 PM PST by Beave Meister (Die Hard Cubs Fan.....if it takes forever.)
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To: Beave Meister

What part of “fundamental transformation” does Kalifornia not understand?


22 posted on 02/20/2014 6:53:55 PM PST by bicyclerepair (TERM LIMITS .......... TERM LIMITS .......... TERM LIMITS)
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To: bicyclerepair

The part that includes them.


23 posted on 02/20/2014 6:59:36 PM PST by reformedliberal
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To: Revel
RICO case?
Did the Feds conspire with certain Insurance companies on a bait and switch deal?

Why yes, yes they did.

I'm sure Eric Holder will get right on that....

24 posted on 02/20/2014 7:14:10 PM PST by sarasmom (Extortion 17. A large number of Navy SEALs died on that mission. Ask why.)
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To: Texas Songwriter; 2ndDivisionVet
Dear Turner, I hope this makes you feel better.

Chief Justice Roberts: "It Is Not Our Job to Protect the People From the Consequences of Their Political Choices"

25 posted on 02/20/2014 7:20:13 PM PST by Enterprise ("Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire)
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To: bicyclerepair

Hey, I just moved from Los Angeles to the southwest burbs of Chicago. Believe me Kalifornians still blame Bush for everything and find no fault in Obama whatsoever. They make up complete and utter BS about Conservatives and they know it’s a lie, and then they start to believe it. One friend drove a Prius and for years a Prius never had to pay parking meters in LA. Well, one day in 09’ that all changed and instead of being pissed off she said, “It’s Okay, because it’s like I’m giving my money to Obama.” I almost puked right on her.

I’m an actor, I keep a low profile when it comes to my politics. I would say at least 75% of actors in LA are probably the most anti-semitic people you have ever seen. Even the Jewish ones, it’s as if they hate being Jewish. I’ve never understood how a Jewish in Los Angeles could be a liberal, because most liberals in LA hate Jews, hate them with a passion. I will never understand that. I have a few close friends who know where I stand and we’ll talk politics. I’ve had casting agents who know, tell me in private don’t ever let anyone know, and keep a low profile. I tried to join Friends of Abe, but they’re very selective and protective of who they let in that group.


26 posted on 02/20/2014 7:21:22 PM PST by Beave Meister (Die Hard Cubs Fan.....if it takes forever.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
“What are we left with as far as being Covered California subscribers?” Cadman asked. “The bottom of the barrel?”

That's right, Cadman. Welcome to Socialized Medicine! (10-to-1 says you voted for it!)

27 posted on 02/20/2014 7:28:54 PM PST by workerbee (The President of the United States is DOMESTIC ENEMY #1!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
“This is not what we were promised. I see those (Covered California) commercials now and I want to scream,” Julia Turner said.

Damn Straight, Julia. Walter and I are STILL waiting for Bar. Every time I watch that commercial, I want to scream.


28 posted on 02/20/2014 8:05:19 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Texas Songwriter

“Adult”?? Ha! Perpetual child. At best, perpetual adolescent. Certainly not Adult.


29 posted on 02/20/2014 8:06:02 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Well, it’s all right since the sea is going down. After all, the Messiah is in charge. Calm yourself.


30 posted on 02/20/2014 8:22:26 PM PST by Rembrandt (Part of the 51% who pay Federal taxes)
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To: ladyjane

“Get a job, work hard, and miraculously you’ll begin to sleep better. “

I’ve read other stories about this guy. He was an auto mechanic and severely hurt his back and now can not find a doctor to help him.


31 posted on 02/20/2014 10:38:09 PM PST by catnipman (Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!)
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To: Veggie Todd

Thank you. Glad I’m not the only one. “Contact” or “call” worked just fine as words before Marketing decided for some reason that they need to be fancied up.


32 posted on 02/21/2014 6:09:06 AM PST by jiggyboy
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