Posted on 11/04/2015 10:12:31 PM PST by Brad from Tennessee
Government health officials worked diligently this year to improve consumer experience on Healthcare.gov and make sure people know what they are getting for their money when they pick health insurance. But one thing is out of the government's control: whether doctors and hospitals will agree to accept patients who buy these plans.
Surveys and data are limited, so it's difficult to gauge the extent of the issue, but anecdotal evidence from patients and providers show it is a struggle. Some newly insured patients wonder whether it's worth paying for coverage they can't actually use. Even when they do find a provider, reports show they face crippling out-of-pocket costs they didn't expect.
Doctors or hospitals may be left out of insurance networks for many reasons; the decision is usually up to the insurance company, not the provider, but it usually comes down to reimbursement, which can be lower through plans obtained via the Obamacare marketplace.
"We have no idea what the plans are paying," says David Howard, professor in the department of health policy and management at Emory University. "That's closely guarded information. We can only draw conclusions based on anecdotal reports."
Clare Krusing, spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Programs, said in an email that the group does not have data on how many physicians are choosing not to accept insurance or participate in certain networks. "Our recent report on out-of-network charges show that consumers are increasingly paying very high, and in many cases, exorbitant charges for medical care when they are treated by an out-of-network provider," she said. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.com ...
Cant Obama just issue a order (a decree) that forces hospitals and doctors take whatever Obama-care pays?
He has a pen and phone gad-nabit.
Would’ve helped if they had said no in 2009.
Politicians have convinced the American public that if there are more insurance companies “competing for your business” health care costs will go down.
Anyone with half a brain can see that it is the cost of medical care and not the cost of insurance that is the problem.
Of course most seem to be operating on significantly lees than half a brain
For the Obamacare co-ops, the administrative cost per policyholder are more than six times that for insurance companies.
So much for cost savings.
This is the truth. But you’re probably going to get whacked for saying it out loud.
Obamacare totally sucks. It’s my #ing nightmare that I’ve been fighting to avoid.
Well, Dr. Howard, based on my deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket expenses, they are not paying a whole hell of a lot....
“Some newly insured patients wonder whether it’s worth paying for coverage they can’t actually use.”
The simple fact there is any question “whether it’s worth” the cost and so many are doing it any way is testament to how far we have fallen. It also gives one pause to wonder if we will ever recover.......
look how medicare destroyed the health system.....Grandpa's PHx was going to be paid for and be FREE so suddenly, PHx was the rage ..
..as were a million presciptions, xrays,home visits, power chairs,etc etc...
when grandpa's health care became almost free for him, it sent the prices for the rest of us sky high....and we're the ones still footing the bill in every way.
when there is a bottomless pit of money, you can bet it will be sucked up with gusto.....just look at college expenses....price increases for several decades high above the inflation rate....why?....Uncle Sam is the bottomless pit.
“For the Obamacare co-ops, the administrative cost per policyholder are more than six times that for insurance companies.
So much for cost savings.”
But not to worry, all of them will be out of business shortly! They are the Solyndra’s of the Healthcare debacle with their signature waste, fraud and theft of funds.
It’s just lucky that the so-called “public option” got pared down to co-ops.
With the co-ops, we’re only going to lose a few billion, rather than hundreds of billions and counting.
Funny how these Obamacare dunces couldn’t seem to figure out the difference between ‘coverage’ and ‘access’.
Most people were screaming for them and the pols to say no.
The people were lulled to sleep by the promise that you could keep your doctor and keep your healthcare.
The AMA and hospitals went along with Obamacare.
You and I were against it. A lot of good that did.
Everyone needs to consider christian health sharing plans. Three plans qualify fulfilling obamacare coverage mandates. Depending on your lifestyle and conditions one may be better than another. They are all flexible and have varius levels you can select.
It was a huge lie and we knew it. I just dont know why anyone would have swallowed it.
Well, they won’t find out from my doctor. He just said “f this” and retired.
Before he left he wrote a letter to all his patients saying he was leaving the practice of medicine because of Obamacare and all the red tape and problems it was causing.
What a clueless assertion.
Medicare did not destroy the health system! Medicaid did. And that was a NEW massive unfunded welfare program.
THAT'S WHAT DESTROYED MEDICARE.
Unfortunately, a lot of people, even at F.R. don’t know the difference between Medicare and Medicaid or between S.S.D.I. and S.S.I.
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