Many doctors are disturbed that they’ll be paid less – often a lot less – to care for the millions of patients who are projected to buy coverage through the health law’s new insurance marketplaces.
Some have complained to medical associations – including those in Texas, California, Georgia, Connecticut and New York – saying the discounted rates could lead to a two-tiered system in which fewer doctors participate, perhaps making it harder for consumers to get the care they need.
“As it is, there is a shortage of primary care physicians in the country, and they don’t have enough time to see all the patients who are calling them,” said Peter Cunningham, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Center for Studying Health System Change in Washington.
If providers are paid less, he said, “Are (enrollees) going to have difficulty getting physicians to accept them as patients?”
Insurance officials acknowledge that they have reduced rates in some plans, saying they are under enormous pressure to keep premiums affordable. They say physicians will make up for the lower pay by seeing more patients, since the plans tend to have smaller networks of doctors.
But many primary care doctors say they barely have time to take care of the patients they have now.
Watch the steps here. Doctors will be paid less. Doctors will stop seeing "exchange" patients. Government will coerce doctors into seeing all patients, regardless of plans.
Not a problem. According to JW suppliers (ie. doctors etc.) simply dictate increased demand for their services to make up the difference.
ReplyDeleteWow. You predicted JW perfectly:)
Deletelol!
DeleteWhat a buffoon. He found a copy of Newsweek from 1994, memorized the cover story, and became an expert on healthcare.
DeleteWhen it comes to health care, competition drives up prices. When the supplier of goods and services dictates demand, anything that normally reduces profits creates more demand as doctors simply prescribe more treatment to make up for the lower profit margin.
ReplyDeleteJW, starting to get a clue how predicatable your stupid crap is?
DeleteWow. I thought people were unnecessarily mean to someone whose viewpoint might differ. You truly are an idiot. "Competition drives up prices."
DeleteEven Paul Krugman wouldn't dare say something so stupid.
Yes, because we all know that the best way to compete is to raise your prices--like the Walmart highest price guarantee. Come on, you can't be that f'n naive Jerry? I'm beginning to think you are an econ professor. LMAO
DeleteJerry, you need to inform yourself how claims are adjudicated in our current system. Just because a provider "prescribes more treatment" doesn't mean their claim will be paid, and if a payer believes claims are being padded, the provider will be dropped like a hot brick. And if you plan to upcode on Medicare, prepare to spend lots of time with lawyers.
DeleteMedical providers do not dictate the standard of ambulatory care in America, bureaucrats--some of whom are doctors--do.
Talking points, Jerry? His bullshit statement is repeated at this stupid site:
Deletehttp://billmoyers.com/2013/11/01/rip-off-how-private-sector-health-costs-are-killing-the-american-dream/
Eerie awesome! The anon @ 336pm knew what bullshit would spew from JW gaping asshole before he posted!
ReplyDeleteWhen someone can predict what stupid shit you will post before you post, it shows how easy it is to tear apart trolls like you.
Jerry. Get a new shtick. Learn some economics. Your trolling is tiresome.
Jerry you cannot be that ignorant? Even Keynesian understand supply vs demand. IF there is more demand (people wanting doctors) then there are doctors then the price goes up.
ReplyDeleteThe less doctors == less competition. More doctors == more competition. If person who is capable of being a doctor finds another occupation that will pay more because the price for doctor's are held low, then they will not become doctors. And thus we are back to less competition.
Who is John Galt?
ReplyDeleteHow many bitcoins are they paying you Jerry?
ReplyDeleteCompetition drives up prices! I mean really !!! Did JW say that?
ReplyDelete"They say physicians will make up for the lower pay by seeing more patients, since the plans tend to have smaller networks of doctors." That made me laugh. "Plans tend" is all "They" need to know and ... Presto! Prices calculated.
ReplyDelete