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01/10/2014
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBAMACARE)
From: Ted Cohen, DPM
As expected, on the first full day back to work after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, there was mass confusion for the four patients with brand-new coverage who called my office. And of course, because none had their insurance cards, it was almost impossible to get through to insurers to verify that these patients had coverage.
But when we did get through, lo and behold, our four patients had absolutely not a clue that their deductibles ranged from $2,000 to $5,000. When my office manager explained to each patient that they would have to pay for the visit, you know how many chose to do so? Zero. They all left in a huff.
This was Day One, and already the ACA enrollees aren’t sure what they signed up for in healthcare benefits. I can only shake my head as to what next week will bring.
Other messages in this thread:
01/11/2014
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBAMACARE)
From: Mark Weaver, DPM
Yes, Ted, all four patients left in a huff. Now look at your Internet ratings; they probably all called you a "money grubbing whore" as well! It sounds like a joke, but think of the implications. I won't mention paying the bills while not getting paid, but you only get ONE reputation in a lifetime. Guard it with your life.
12/02/2013
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBAMACARE)
From: Marc Katz, DPM
The sad truth is that we will see a return of the true HMO model with decreasing reimbursement, more regulations on physicians, and no organization that can protect us. Obamacare has given more power to insurance companies. But let's also look at members of our own profession. We have podiatrists who are willing to go to insurance companies and tell them that they will take pennies if it means that their colleagues can be excluded from plans! These leeches are unhappy with their lives and are willing to provide substandard care. The government and insurance companies are taking full advantage with the help of these morally bankrupt members of our profession.
We will need to improve care, jump through hoops, and get paid less while the government spends money regulating us and trying to rein us in as if we are trying to commit fraud. What they will never understand is that we are trying to help people. We have become the enemy. And patients are starting to jump on the bandwagon. So change it!
Are our hands tied? Maybe our organizations can find some solutions. But ultimately, I recommend taking all of your energy and making your practice work. Educate your patients. Concentrate on the areas of podiatry that you like, be innovative, and think out of the box. Ignore the podiatrists who are bringing down the profession. Be thankful for all of the good you have.
11/30/2013
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBAMACARE)
RE: ACA and the Insurance Industry
From: Simon Young, DPM
It's so ironic. The government imposes strict security unfunded mandates on the practitioner, yet can so woefully violate these principles even when properly funded. Talk about a double standard. Rather than harassing the practitioner, use experts to develop a program that works. The insurance industry has a flood of legal experts examining every word in the ACA, yet CMS is certainly not as knowledgeable and is wishing and hoping the ACA will work without any due diligence, and ultimately find a way to harass the practitioner.
ACA is essentially at the mercy of the insurance industry. The wolves are in the hen house and they will maul and mangle whatever they can, and ultimately impact the practitioner. They seem to have all the leverage and control. When will the pendulum swing in the practitioner's direction, and the insurance regulators and our elected officials start imposing real leverage against them? When are the government insiders and the insurance industry going to be subjected to the same scrutiny and penalties we face? It seems they can do no wrong. What a sad commentary.
11/14/2013
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBAMACARE)
From: Pete Smith, DPM, Mike Davis
The Guild does react to issues that are brought up by the State Associations, because that is the general direction that we (the Guilds) were created to take. We also have responded to
requests for assistance on national regulatory or legislative issues when asked by APMA, or as decided in a joint meeting with APMA.
Finally, we have acted in response to individual members' problems when they are sent to our attention. We have worked that way in eliminating foot care limits in plans, eliminating...
Editor's note: This extended-length letter can be read here.
11/13/2013
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBAMACARE) - PART 1
David P. Luongo DPM
This sounds like what HMOs have been doing for decades. The real culprit in all of this is not government or doctors trying to do the right thing, but insurance companies feeding their bottom line and stockholders, NOT the insured or doctors. Until we are able to curtail their unlimited and unchecked power, insurance companies will continue to control politicians with limitless funds, manipulate any regulation or policy to their favor, and fight anything that benefits policy holders or doctors. They have the golden goose making billions and will continue to do so until someone comes up with regulations or a plan that only needs to break even (Medicare) to survive.
Until that day, insurance companies will dictate healthcare and have us pointing fingers at politicians, doctors, and each other just to keep what they have. They are the bad tenant we gave the house to in the '60s, and now we can't get them out of the house.
11/13/2013
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBAMACARE) - PART 2
From: Bryan C. Markinson, DPM
Dr. Michael Wodka writes that the OPEIU Guild 45 is the "podiatry union," and mentions that the Guild has been supportive on many of our legislative issues. I believe that I pay dues to the Guild through my state society dues. While I certainly appreciate support of our legislative issues, I wonder if podiatrists can actually unite behind the guild and exert any kind of pressure to change some of the most ridiculous stresses we have in practice, such as the Medicare rules on routine foot care and the need to have MDs certify that our diabetic patients need protective footwear. I really don't think so.
Perhaps Dr. Wodka can further enlighten us on how the Guild even becomes aware of our problems? It seems that the Guild reacts to what state societies tell them, which in some cases may not address even more local problems. Do we have direct access to the Guild? Are there meetings that podiatrists can attend?
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