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Post by AztecWilliam on Apr 3, 2012 13:35:24 GMT -8
It's important for a national administration to have a pretty accurate idea of what the public thinks about major issues before crafting legislation dealing with those issues. In the health care field, it seems clear that the Obama administration did not have a good understanding of what the public wanted and was willing to accept. I have said before and will say again here that Pres. Obama would not be in such a dicey situation regarding his re-election chances had he and his advisers been less eager to assume that it was unnecessary to worry the opinions of others. Health care is a good example of this. In fact, it may well be the best example. In this piece you will find empirical evidence that the Obama administration apparently did not consider relevant. Keep in mind that the public did not rise up against Social Security and Medicare both before and after they became law. The hostility against ObamaCare is pretty much unique in that regard. It didn't have to be this way. The Democrats could have included at least some of the ideas being pushed by the Republicans. The backlash against the act could rather easily have been turned into general approval. At least some of the Republicans would have voted for the bill and the GOP's issue against it would have been moot. Obama has nobody but himself and his congressional cronies to blame for this issue. reason.com/archives/2012/04/03/amercians-want-more-control-over-their-oAzWm |
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Post by AlwaysAnAztec on Apr 3, 2012 14:06:42 GMT -8
I seriously question his numbers and conclusions.
He wrote:
Medicare currently gives the patient the MOST flexibility in choosing his provider and Medicare pays everyone (who accepts Medicare).
If a person were to chose a 'private health plan' like they can now; such as Secure Horizons which is Pacificare HMO, they MUST stay within the plans preferred provider network. My mother-in-law had to change doctors, after 20 years, because her regular doctor was no longer a part of the Pacificare provider network.
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Post by AztecWilliam on Apr 3, 2012 15:17:28 GMT -8
I seriously question his numbers and conclusions. He wrote: Medicare currently gives the patient the MOST flexibility in choosing his provider and Medicare pays everyone (who accepts Medicare). If a person were to chose a 'private health plan' like they can now; such as Secure Horizons which is Pacificare HMO, they MUST stay within the plans preferred provider network. My mother-in-law had to change doctors, after 20 years, because her regular doctor was no longer a part of the Pacificare provider network. That's the rub. Well, part of the rub. What I fear is that it will become almost impossible to find a doctor who will accept Medicare. Is that because all doctors are heartless brutes lacking in any sort of sympathy for sick people? If the Feds continue to reduce reimbursement, more and more physicians will drop out of Medicare. Say, I just thought of something. It seems to me, if memory serves at the moment, that Medicare rejects requests for reimbursement at a higher rate than private insurance carriers. AzWm |
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Post by AlwaysAnAztec on Apr 4, 2012 7:24:17 GMT -8
Say, I just thought of something. It seems to me, if memory serves at the moment, that Medicare rejects requests for reimbursement at a higher rate than private insurance carriers. AzWm I have never seen this. If anything, they have been accused of paying too many claims. Link please. |
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Post by aztecwin on Apr 4, 2012 12:31:32 GMT -8
Say, I just thought of something. It seems to me, if memory serves at the moment, that Medicare rejects requests for reimbursement at a higher rate than private insurance carriers. AzWm I have never seen this. If anything, they have been accused of paying too many claims. Link please. Actually it is both ways. They pay fradulant claims that are within their parameters and refuse legit claims for being too high or for services they don't like to allow. |
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Post by North County Aztec on Apr 5, 2012 20:35:35 GMT -8
I seriously question his numbers and conclusions. He wrote:
Medicare currently gives the patient the MOST flexibility in choosing his provider and Medicare pays everyone (who accepts Medicare). If a person were to chose a 'private health plan' like they can now; such as Secure Horizons which is Pacificare HMO, they MUST stay within the plans preferred provider network. My mother-in-law had to change doctors, after 20 years, because her regular doctor was no longer a part of the Pacificare provider network. Not really, more and more physicians are refusing Medicare patients. The result will be a run on emergency rooms, exactly what Obama promised would not happen. HMO’s are good but as you stated, don’t get enamored with your doc because he may not be your doc tomorrow, this is really not any different than Medicare. The most flexible is a PPO, howbeit the most expensive. At age 65 you don’t have an option, you will be on Medicare as your primary provider, zero flexibility, if you don’t have supplementary insurance that covers non-Medicare docs - then under Obamacare you just got shafted. |
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Post by aztec70 on Apr 5, 2012 21:30:51 GMT -8
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Post by North County Aztec on Apr 5, 2012 21:50:05 GMT -8
The fact check is over a year old based on information 2-4 years old. What I know is my doc has a new sign at the check-in counter, “Sorry But We Don’t Accept Medicare,” yup, my doc, made different decision 2 years ago. The wife’s doc never did accept Medicare so her doc would be reflected of your Fact Check. I believe your fact check to be accurate and right on for the time period quoted, problem , they are yesterdays numbers. And if you have not noticed on ALL AARP commercials currently viewed, now state," their supplementary insurance applies to doc’s accepting Medicare." Where did that advice come from? An attorney. AARP didn’t offer a disclaimer 6 months ago. There's writing on the wall. |
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Post by aztec70 on Apr 5, 2012 22:42:44 GMT -8
The fact check is over a year old based on information 2-4 years old. What I know is my doc has a new sign at the check-in counter, “Sorry But We Don’t Accept Medicare,” yup, my doc, made different decision 2 years ago. The wife’s doc never did accept Medicare so her doc would be reflected of your Fact Check. I believe your fact check to be accurate and right on for the time period quoted, problem , they are yesterdays numbers. And if you have not noticed on ALL AARP commercials currently viewed, now state," their supplementary insurance applies to doc’s accepting Medicare." Where did that advice come from? An attorney. AARP didn’t offer a disclaimer 6 months ago. There's writing on the wall. It could be that since I have always gone to a clinic, rather than doctors in private practice, that I have not noticed. I am sure when I am ready I will transition into their Medicare plan. Since I see them pitching it in the waiting rooms they must see it as viable. I suspect clinics are a more efficient way to deliver health care than a single physician's office. |
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Post by AlwaysAnAztec on Apr 6, 2012 7:30:26 GMT -8
HMO’s are good but as you stated, don’t get enamored with your doc because he may not be your doc tomorrow, this is really not any different than Medicare. The most flexible is a PPO, howbeit the most expensive. At age 65 you don’t have an option, you will be on Medicare as your primary provider, zero flexibility, if you don’t have supplementary insurance that covers non-Medicare docs - then under Obamacare you just got shafted. I'll agree that the number of physicians who accept Medicare are dropping. I never said any different. I've also said that I believe that Medicare reimbursement rates need to be increased, not decreased. Physicians are getting screwed by both Medicare and private insurance as most insurance companies base their reimbursement rate on the Medicare rate. Your view that a PPO system is the most flexable is flat out wrong. PPO stands for "Preferred Provider Organization" and incurages the patient to only go to one of their PPO approved physicians by how they structure their reimbursement rates. Typically any physician "Out of Network" will only be reimbursed at 50% wereas "In Network" physicians will be reimbursed at the typical 80% rate. The MOST flexable plan is the traditional 80-20 plan where the insurance company pays any physician you wish to see but the reimbursement rate is set per procedure. This type of plan is much harder to administer by the patient because they must know what is charged and what will be paid. It is then their responsibility to manage the difference either by negotiating with the physician or obtaining supplementary insurance. Most traditional 80-20 plans no longer exist and have been replaced with PPO plans. |
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Post by North County Aztec on Apr 16, 2012 17:50:24 GMT -8
HMO’s are good but as you stated, don’t get enamored with your doc because he may not be your doc tomorrow, this is really not any different than Medicare. The most flexible is a PPO, howbeit the most expensive. At age 65 you don’t have an option, you will be on Medicare as your primary provider, zero flexibility, if you don’t have supplementary insurance that covers non-Medicare docs - then under Obamacare you just got shafted. I'll agree that the number of physicians who accept Medicare are dropping. I never said any different. I've also said that I believe that Medicare reimbursement rates need to be increased, not decreased. Physicians are getting screwed by both Medicare and private insurance as most insurance companies base their reimbursement rate on the Medicare rate. Your view that a PPO system is the most flexable is flat out wrong. PPO stands for "Preferred Provider Organization" and incurages the patient to only go to one of their PPO approved physicians by how they structure their reimbursement rates. Typically any physician "Out of Network" will only be reimbursed at 50% wereas "In Network" physicians will be reimbursed at the typical 80% rate. The MOST flexible plan is the traditional 80-20 plan where the insurance company pays any physician you wish to see but the reimbursement rate is set per procedure. This type of plan is much harder to administer by the patient because they must know what is charged and what will be paid. It is then their responsibility to manage the difference either by negotiating with the physician or obtaining supplementary insurance. Most traditional 80-20 plans no longer exist and have been replaced with PPO plans. I’m not sure where your numbers come from but I can speak to personal experience. First and foremost I’ll stand by my statement PPO is the best coverage available. I’ve never seen/met/heard (assuming they accept any insurance) of a doc that would not accept my PPO. June 2011 I had major surgery, the surgeon and his team billed at $165,000 the hospital billed $125,000. I was able to pick my hospital but more importantly I was able to pick my surgeon of choice. The guy I selected has done more of the type of surgeries than all the docs in SD/Orange county combined. After my $1,000 deductable my co-pay for the doc and hospital was 20 bucks each. Additionally I make frequent trips to Costa Rica. I have a family doc and cardiologist in Costa Rica that honors my 20 buck co-pay. And BTW, the docs are Americans and have American certification. THAT’ FELEXIBILITY!!!!!!! If I had been under Obamacare there would be one less Aztec in the world. |
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Post by AlwaysAnAztec on Apr 18, 2012 8:27:22 GMT -8
I'll agree that the number of physicians who accept Medicare are dropping. I never said any different. I've also said that I believe that Medicare reimbursement rates need to be increased, not decreased. Physicians are getting screwed by both Medicare and private insurance as most insurance companies base their reimbursement rate on the Medicare rate. Your view that a PPO system is the most flexable is flat out wrong. PPO stands for "Preferred Provider Organization" and incurages the patient to only go to one of their PPO approved physicians by how they structure their reimbursement rates. Typically any physician "Out of Network" will only be reimbursed at 50% wereas "In Network" physicians will be reimbursed at the typical 80% rate. The MOST flexible plan is the traditional 80-20 plan where the insurance company pays any physician you wish to see but the reimbursement rate is set per procedure. This type of plan is much harder to administer by the patient because they must know what is charged and what will be paid. It is then their responsibility to manage the difference either by negotiating with the physician or obtaining supplementary insurance. Most traditional 80-20 plans no longer exist and have been replaced with PPO plans. I’m not sure where your numbers come from but I can speak to personal experience. First and foremost I’ll stand by my statement PPO is the best coverage available. I’ve never seen/met/heard (assuming they accept any insurance) of a doc that would not accept my PPO. June 2011 I had major surgery, the surgeon and his team billed at $165,000 the hospital billed $125,000. I was able to pick my hospital but more importantly I was able to pick my surgeon of choice. The guy I selected has done more of the type of surgeries than all the docs in SD/Orange county combined. After my $1,000 deductable my co-pay for the doc and hospital was 20 bucks each. Additionally I make frequent trips to Costa Rica. I have a family doc and cardiologist in Costa Rica that honors my 20 buck co-pay. And BTW, the docs are Americans and have American certification. THAT’ FELEXIBILITY!!!!!!! If I had been under Obamacare there would be one less Aztec in the world. I have never heard of any health insurance plan that allows you to choose ANY doctor, ANY hospital and pay only a $20.00 co-pay. What insurance plan do you have? I want that one. |
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Post by JOCAZTEC on Apr 22, 2012 7:31:29 GMT -8
Keep in mind that the public did not rise up against Social Security and Medicare both before and after they became law. The hostility against ObamaCare is pretty much unique in that regard. Oh yes they did. Like today's "journalists" that cover only pro-obama garbage, you don't have the correct recorded history of the 1930s and the hatred people had toward the feds for the FICA. Are you kidding me? There are so few left that now is a good time for the feds to try this stunt again. Just think about it. It's 1932, you have no job and you depend upon an occassional part-time gig to pay for the little you have and all you hear is Roostervelt clamoring about the new deal. You say, "right, and I get dealt out of every hand." As he gets re-elected, THEN, like this osama-care tax, the tax takes effect. This is an exact copy job from 1932 and 1937 (with a war coming along in about four years, ta-boot). Alarming. Keep thinking, you have no job and can barely eat and the President of the United States is REQUIRING that all workers pay 15.3% of your gross wages, NOW so that when the workers reach age 70 1/2, you will receive a monthly "retirement" pay. If you ever live that long and you know the feds will just keep the money, which they did, for themselves and not the workers. I am not willing to see the few small business die just so you long-term smokers get a free $1,200,000 lung transplant. I'm not. You smoked it is your fault. Own up. HAM |
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Post by JOCAZTEC on Apr 22, 2012 7:34:29 GMT -8
I'll agree that the number of physicians who accept Medicare are dropping. I never said any different. I've also said that I believe that Medicare reimbursement rates need to be increased, not decreased. Physicians are getting screwed by both Medicare and private insurance as most insurance companies base their reimbursement rate on the Medicare rate. Your view that a PPO system is the most flexable is flat out wrong. PPO stands for "Preferred Provider Organization" and incurages the patient to only go to one of their PPO approved physicians by how they structure their reimbursement rates. Typically any physician "Out of Network" will only be reimbursed at 50% wereas "In Network" physicians will be reimbursed at the typical 80% rate. The MOST flexible plan is the traditional 80-20 plan where the insurance company pays any physician you wish to see but the reimbursement rate is set per procedure. This type of plan is much harder to administer by the patient because they must know what is charged and what will be paid. It is then their responsibility to manage the difference either by negotiating with the physician or obtaining supplementary insurance. Most traditional 80-20 plans no longer exist and have been replaced with PPO plans. I’m not sure where your numbers come from but I can speak to personal experience. First and foremost I’ll stand by my statement PPO is the best coverage available. I’ve never seen/met/heard (assuming they accept any insurance) of a doc that would not accept my PPO. June 2011 I had major surgery, the surgeon and his team billed at $165,000 the hospital billed $125,000. I was able to pick my hospital but more importantly I was able to pick my surgeon of choice. The guy I selected has done more of the type of surgeries than all the docs in SD/Orange county combined. After my $1,000 deductable my co-pay for the doc and hospital was 20 bucks each. Additionally I make frequent trips to Costa Rica. I have a family doc and cardiologist in Costa Rica that honors my 20 buck co-pay. And BTW, the docs are Americans and have American certification. THAT’ FELEXIBILITY!!!!!!! If I had been under Obamacare there would be one less Aztec in the world. Did you have Kaiser or who was your PPO? HAM |
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Post by sdsustoner on Apr 27, 2012 18:14:05 GMT -8
LOL @ the OP
Explain why many Reps in Congress supported this idea until Obama rolled out his plan that included the items they previously wanted?
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Post by JOCAZTEC on Apr 28, 2012 14:10:04 GMT -8
Free dope for Dopes?
HAM
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Post by AlwaysAnAztec on Apr 30, 2012 13:27:35 GMT -8
I’m not sure where your numbers come from but I can speak to personal experience. First and foremost I’ll stand by my statement PPO is the best coverage available. I’ve never seen/met/heard (assuming they accept any insurance) of a doc that would not accept my PPO. June 2011 I had major surgery, the surgeon and his team billed at $165,000 the hospital billed $125,000. I was able to pick my hospital but more importantly I was able to pick my surgeon of choice. The guy I selected has done more of the type of surgeries than all the docs in SD/Orange county combined. After my $1,000 deductable my co-pay for the doc and hospital was 20 bucks each. Additionally I make frequent trips to Costa Rica. I have a family doc and cardiologist in Costa Rica that honors my 20 buck co-pay. And BTW, the docs are Americans and have American certification. THAT’ FELEXIBILITY!!!!!!! If I had been under Obamacare there would be one less Aztec in the world. Did you have Kaiser or who was your PPO? HAM You notice that he never responded to our question. |
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Post by norseman on Jan 23, 2013 6:35:28 GMT -8
Medical health insurance plan compensation rates need to be increased, not decreased. Physicians are getting screwed by both Medical health insurance plan and private insurance plan as most insurance plan providers base their compensation amount on the Medical health insurance plan amount.
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Post by JOCAZTEC on Jan 25, 2013 1:52:48 GMT -8
If you really want Doctors' pay to increase, then you get government out of the medical industry. And, you erase the malpractice laws passed in 1978. Those laws made it so easy for patients to sue their doctors. Those laws wiped out and made it extinct for people to have "family doctors" for ever.
A healthy, competitive market place provides for the best quality of products and services. Government interference only kills any market.
TAXTAXTAXTAXTAXDEATHTAXTAXTAXTAX
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Post by AlwaysAnAztec on Jan 25, 2013 10:55:51 GMT -8
If you really want Doctors' pay to increase, then you get government out of the medical industry. And, you erase the malpractice laws passed in 1978. Those laws made it so easy for patients to sue their doctors. Those laws wiped out and made it extinct for people to have "family doctors" for ever. A healthy, competitive market place provides for the best quality of products and services. Government interference only kills any market. TAXTAXTAXTAXTAXDEATHTAXTAXTAXTAX Get the crooked insurance companies out of the industry first. Then we'll talk. |
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