2013
A woman just called the Rush Limbaugh show relating the story about a friend who lost her coverage because her policy was cancelled. When she got information from the exchange in her state, supposedly the premium was double (unlikely, but possible). In addition, she claims she was told her cardiologist was not on the approved list of doctors. When she asked how her doctor could get on the list, the story really gets entertaining; she was supposedly told by a government representative; “that’s confidential.”😷
Limbaugh’s typical response was, “well, that’s nothing new.” He made no attempt to clarify anything and allowed the impression that there is an Obamacare approved physician list. There is no such list. 🙀
What happened is simply that the health plan had a network of providers and her doctor was not in that network. Because of the need to cut costs, networks are limited because relatively few doctors will accept the lower fee schedules required by plans trying to attract members through an exchange. Her doctor most likely can participate in one of the exchange plan networks if he is willing to accept the allowable fees provided. Generally, any physician who has acceptable credentials and is willing to accept negotiated fees can join a health plan network, within or outside an Obamacare exchange plan.
The rather limited networks in the ACA exchanges are a cause of frustration for many but are part of the price to pay for “affordable” health care. In the New Hampshire exchange there is only one health insurer offered and that plan includes less than half of the acute care hospitals in the state. In addition, every option from catastrophic to gold is an HMO. 😹
Anyone who thinks they can have unfettered and unlimited access to the health care system and affordability is sadly mistaken. Unfortunately, politicians never seem to get around to explaining that. 👿
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 