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how does one mistakenly list 1000 ..of.anything “

We get calls from patients all the time who call wanting an appt and state that one of my doctor clients is listed in their network. Networks are combining at a rate never before see, providers are never notified that they used to be in Network A which has now been taken over by Network B to form new Network C. No paperwork, no authorization from doctor.

Doctor’s office staff have to try and keep on top of all of this which is often almost impossible. Most doctors don’t even know where a copy of their original contract is or any of the small print that it contains which allows networks to move the docs as they wish. Only recourse is to resign from the new network but in the intervening 3 to 6 months they may be forced to see those patients. Then they may find they still can’t get rid of them because of a medical liability issue.

It is all a hopeless mess and one of the reasons why so many docs are getting out of the insurance business totally before everything totally collapses.

Why is this so much worse in some states than others? For example, in my state (WA), it is not that bad, if it is a problem at all. Although I frequently post articles from the Seattle Times and Seattle PI about Obamacare issues in the state, I am not aware of "wrongful listing of provider issues". Would not be a surprised if there were a small number due to ordinary data mistakes. It is true that some enrollees were surprised that certain hospitals were not covered but they were correctly listed as not covered.

Also, our exchange pretty much worked and still does (some teething issues early on). However, payment rate by enrollees has been below expectations -- 65-70% roughly.

Nothing out of the ordinary has occurred in my family's appointments since the first of the year. In fact, nothing really changed at all once you get in the examining room. Rx same way.

I do pray as always that contraceptive coverage gets shot down. I do not think my plan has abortion coverage although the Democrat state legislatures are trying to mandate it.