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ItsTime2011
Meh...
Member since 1/11 2148 total posts
Name:
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Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
After reading on here a couple of times in the last week posts of people who come to find out that their doctors have stopped taking insurance, I have to wonder. Is this becoming a trend now? Are there more and more doctors opting out of insurance?
I live in MA and we are forced to have health insurance. I would be totally upset if I was forced to have insurance only to find out during an emergency service that the doctor wont take the insurance.
Also - do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?
Message edited 6/24/2011 4:15:18 PM.
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Posted 6/24/11 4:15 PM  |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Thats really shocking.
I live in a country with socialised medicine, its not perfect, but its there. And its available to anyone and everyone....that would keep me from living in the US again. Its a shame.
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| Posted 6/24/11 4:17 PM |
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summerBaby10
let's be nice
Member since 9/07 10208 total posts
Name:
Wifey
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
My dentist, who I loved & had been going to since I was 6, stopped taking insurance so I had to switch DR's.. stinks.
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| Posted 6/24/11 5:34 PM |
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CunningOne
***
Member since 5/05 26975 total posts
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Seems that way. When we needed to find a Neurosurgeon for DH, we got recommendations for some of the top neurosurgeons in NYC at Columbia Presb., Mt. Sinai, NYU, etc. NONE of them took our insurance and most of them didn't take any at all. I mean, how do you pay out of pocket for brain surgery?? We were very lucky in that we found a top doc who took our insurance, but ran through some loopholes with parts of the necessary surgical team not taking insurance. Not fun to deal with the bills now!
ETA: Our insurance pay NOTHING if we go out of network. We have no out of network benefits.
Message edited 6/24/2011 7:32:20 PM.
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| Posted 6/24/11 6:00 PM |
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cateyemm
Twins!
Member since 7/10 8027 total posts
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
The majority of the docs my family has been dealing with dont accept ins. They aer the top docs in their fields and can afford to operate successfully oop. That said, my doc just stopped accepting ins for a variety of reasons, most of which I can't blame him for. Id be angry except that I'm fortunate to have out of network benefits with a very low deductible so it's actually cheaper for me to go out of network.
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| Posted 6/24/11 6:07 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
It isn't a new thing... many of the top doctors in NYC have long been not taking insurance. Many will tell you just to submit the bills as out of network.
I think that many of the popular doctors have enough patients that they can do this. They say that they make a lot more money b.c they are not forced to take what the insurance companies force them to take.
I have mixed feelings. They have medical school loans to pay, Med Mal insurance to pay as well. Look if you have patients who are willing to pay them they there will be doctors who are willing to charge that way. Many people do have out of network insurance - it just sucks for those who don't and can't afford them - but there are still good doctors that DO take insurance. I think it is more of a trend in NYC more so than on LI - although you will find some MD's out here who do this as well.
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| Posted 6/24/11 7:09 PM |
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MrsKS
Thank You St. Gerard.....
Member since 12/09 8306 total posts
Name:
Kerri
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
I've been hearing about this more and more lately.
And to be honest it pisses me off!! I think it's an awful thing for the patient who is really at the center of it all. It's sad to me that someone who has insurance can't go to a "top doctor" because they aren't super rich and can't pay OOP.
I think it shows that something really needs to be done with Health Care in this country and there's a definite need for a crack down on insurance companies.
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| Posted 6/24/11 7:10 PM |
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RubyWoo
Complete.
Member since 1/11 1357 total posts
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
I think part of it has to do with some insurance companies paying claims very slowly, or not paying them at all. I've noticed tons of doctors have stopped taking Empire BCBS.
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| Posted 6/24/11 7:25 PM |
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Peainapod
Peanuts are here!
Member since 1/09 13591 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
can you blame them??
its awful dealing with insurance companies..red tape, claim forms, they need special staff just to do medical billing to fill out forms to get paid; they dont get paid the full amount b/c they've negotiated lower rates to be in the network.
Have you ever called an insurance company and not wanted to choke someone? Maybe its just my experiences dealing with them, I dont know.
Insurance companies just love to find ways not to pay for claims and I guess drs get tired of it.
Health Insurance needs to be totally overhauled in this country. thats where the problem lies.
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| Posted 6/24/11 7:27 PM |
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MrsKS
Thank You St. Gerard.....
Member since 12/09 8306 total posts
Name:
Kerri
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Posted by RubyWoo
I think part of it has to do with some insurance companies paying claims very slowly, or not paying them at all. I've noticed tons of doctors have stopped taking Empire BCBS.
which is so sad bc BCBS used to be really good!!!
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| Posted 6/24/11 7:27 PM |
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RubyWoo
Complete.
Member since 1/11 1357 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
I know. And sooooo many people have it. Cops, teachers, government employees, etc. I hope they get their act together.
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| Posted 6/24/11 7:35 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Posted by Lillykat
I think that many of the popular doctors have enough patients that they can do this. They say that they make a lot more money b.c they are not forced to take what the insurance companies force them to take.
ITA. My MIL went to tons of dermatologists looking to ind out what her ailment was. She finally couldn't take it and found one of the best in Manhattan. He doesn't take insurance, but I guess he had to take Medicare? She paid for about a year until she turned 65. But to her it was worth it for the relief.
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| Posted 6/24/11 7:44 PM |
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luvmyReese
Hello Kitty
Member since 1/08 7542 total posts
Name:
Catt
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
United Health Care will drop my kids peditrician as of 12/31/11 also the hospital I gave birh in if they dont come up with an "agreement" with these providers.
Lets see what happens by the end of the year.
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| Posted 6/24/11 7:45 PM |
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partyof6
b nice like u want ur kidz 2
Member since 7/06 7752 total posts
Name:
jeannine
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
My oldest was diagnosed with something not too easy to live with at sixteen and there's no cure, and the only doctor that seemed to give hope is 2000.00 for a freaking office visit. I of course would pay 5000.00 but who the heck knows if it's a scam, I even tried pleading my case n was practically crying, nope,..not even a inkling of what to try or do, its a lllllllllll about the almighty dollar. I thank god it's not like a dire situation where it can b fatal. I also remember when my mom was sick. Trying to find cancer treatments and a lot of trial experimental things were not covered and way too far for. Sick person to travel. I do not understand why if people r blessed to have the brains to help people greed has to take over.
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| Posted 6/24/11 7:52 PM |
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caper24
LIF Infant
Member since 11/09 64 total posts
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Posted by Peainapod
can you blame them??
its awful dealing with insurance companies..red tape, claim forms, they need special staff just to do medical billing to fill out forms to get paid; they dont get paid the full amount b/c they've negotiated lower rates to be in the network.
Have you ever called an insurance company and not wanted to choke someone? Maybe its just my experiences dealing with them, I dont know.
Insurance companies just love to find ways not to pay for claims and I guess drs get tired of it.
Health Insurance needs to be totally overhauled in this country. thats where the problem lies.
I cannot thank you enough for saying this. I am a doctor of chiropractic since 1995. Our reimbursement from insurance has been getting progressively less over the years. We are down to $7 per visit reimbursement from GHI and approx $25 from Medicare. If any other professions salaries got cut EVERY year, there would be a union uproar and things would change. Doctors...nothing! Not to mention chiropractic college/medical schools are VERY expensive and I have a ton of student loans to pay back. I could go on and on about this all day. Thank you for letting me vent.
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| Posted 6/24/11 8:14 PM |
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MrsKS
Thank You St. Gerard.....
Member since 12/09 8306 total posts
Name:
Kerri
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Posted by RubyWoo
I know. And sooooo many people have it. Cops, teachers, government employees, etc. I hope they get their act together.
I have it under my DH who is a city employee.
I have GHI for medical and BCBS for hospital.
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| Posted 6/24/11 8:22 PM |
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MrsKS
Thank You St. Gerard.....
Member since 12/09 8306 total posts
Name:
Kerri
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Posted by caper24
Posted by Peainapod
can you blame them??
its awful dealing with insurance companies..red tape, claim forms, they need special staff just to do medical billing to fill out forms to get paid; they dont get paid the full amount b/c they've negotiated lower rates to be in the network.
Have you ever called an insurance company and not wanted to choke someone? Maybe its just my experiences dealing with them, I dont know.
Insurance companies just love to find ways not to pay for claims and I guess drs get tired of it.
Health Insurance needs to be totally overhauled in this country. thats where the problem lies.
I cannot thank you enough for saying this. I am a doctor of chiropractic since 1995. Our reimbursement from insurance has been getting progressively less over the years. We are down to $7 per visit reimbursement from GHI and approx $25 from Medicare. If any other professions salaries got cut EVERY year, there would be a union uproar and things would change. Doctors...nothing! Not to mention chiropractic college/medical schools are VERY expensive and I have a ton of student loans to pay back. I could go on and on about this all day. Thank you for letting me vent.
I mostly blame the insurance companies. They are well known for their scam tactics.
I find it saddest though for the patients.
Something DESPERATELY NEEDS to be done!!!!!
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| Posted 6/24/11 8:24 PM |
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Peainapod
Peanuts are here!
Member since 1/09 13591 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Posted by caper24
Posted by Peainapod
can you blame them??
its awful dealing with insurance companies..red tape, claim forms, they need special staff just to do medical billing to fill out forms to get paid; they dont get paid the full amount b/c they've negotiated lower rates to be in the network.
Have you ever called an insurance company and not wanted to choke someone? Maybe its just my experiences dealing with them, I dont know.
Insurance companies just love to find ways not to pay for claims and I guess drs get tired of it.
Health Insurance needs to be totally overhauled in this country. thats where the problem lies.
I cannot thank you enough for saying this. I am a doctor of chiropractic since 1995. Our reimbursement from insurance has been getting progressively less over the years. We are down to $7 per visit reimbursement from GHI and approx $25 from Medicare. If any other professions salaries got cut EVERY year, there would be a union uproar and things would change. Doctors...nothing! Not to mention chiropractic college/medical schools are VERY expensive and I have a ton of student loans to pay back. I could go on and on about this all day. Thank you for letting me vent.
Its the same with the chiropractor I see now. I started treatment in february and my insur has a 3500 deductible that i have to meet before they would even pay into chiropractic visits. Out of pocket, cash discount, I paid the dr $1600 in FULL. well worth it as it was 3 months of visits 3x a week and massage therapy. and out of pocket a visit is $35 cash; or $20 for kids. I think that's reasonable. Its probably not even worth it for my chiro to deal with insurance.
There was an article in the Daily news about physical therapy copays being $50 for a lot of people when a visit is billed to the insur company at $55. So the patient is footing 99% of that visit while the insurance company is paying nothing. Yet we all pay through the F*** nose for insurance plans be it privately like myself, or through our jobs, etc.
there are some dr's in the middle of the country that are opening offices/clinics and have a menu of services so to speak and charge, lets say $50 for a physical exam; but they do not take any insurance. Their overhead is less, they can give better care b/c they have less paperwork and crap to do, and people were flocking to them b/c the rates were affordable even for paying out of pocket.
I really dispise insurance companies :(
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| Posted 6/24/11 8:59 PM |
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PrincessP
Big sister!!!!!!!!!!
Member since 12/05 17450 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Wait...so they want people with health insurance cards to pay 140/out of pocket just bc they want to continue to use them? I am confused as to why someone would do that...
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| Posted 6/24/11 9:20 PM |
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ItsTime2011
Meh...
Member since 1/11 2148 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
I am so glad this is opening up discussion. 
I was talking about it yesterday with DH. We both think that Insurance companies SUCK and are a HUGE scam in this country. I totally understand why doctors would want to NOT accept insurance. They are able to offer better service with only necessary tests and treatments and not have to deal with covering their azzes with the insurance companies and red tape that occurs. Of course it sucks when you DONT have out of network coverage and you are not only paying for insurance for those doctors you see that do take it but you are also paying out of pocket for those who DONT take it.
The only one who wins in this situation are the insurance companies. What will it take to get an overhaul in this country?
ETA: One thing that DH and I discussed (because not having insurance and relying on out of pocket payments - would mean that if something does arise that's a lot of money at once) is having personal Flex spending accounts. Some people already have the option for this, but there are a lot of restrictions with them usually.
Message edited 6/25/2011 11:41:41 AM.
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| Posted 6/25/11 11:39 AM |
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MrsKS
Thank You St. Gerard.....
Member since 12/09 8306 total posts
Name:
Kerri
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Posted by ItsTime2011
ETA: One thing that DH and I discussed (because not having insurance and relying on out of pocket payments - would mean that if something does arise that's a lot of money at once) is having personal Flex spending accounts. Some people already have the option for this, but there are a lot of restrictions with them usually.
While I'm all for FSA's it's still like double paying for medical services. Your benefit is a tax break but this is still a huge part of your own money being put into the account. If you are paying into insurance in the first place and then you need money from your paycheck to go towards paying dr bills (not copays but full bills). Also, there's usually limits on how much you can put in... with the prices of these bills... you will max that fairly quickly is some circumstances.
I guess it could be a quick fix but it still stinks for the end user.
I think something needs to be done from the insurance end.. not the end user.
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| Posted 6/25/11 2:22 PM |
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dawnygirl25
Growing up soo fast..
Member since 1/06 14917 total posts
Name:
Dawn
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Re: Are more and more doctors opting to not take ANY insurance?
Posted by summerBaby10
My dentist, who I loved & had been going to since I was 6, stopped taking insurance so I had to switch DR's.. stinks.
yes. I work in a dentist office and we only accept a few major plans, many less than we did years ago.
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| Posted 6/26/11 12:52 AM |
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