Doctors are concerned about pay scales under health care law

[PoliticAverse]

WASHINGTON — 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

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/11/20/209165/doctors-are-concerned-about-pay.html

[VanillaRhapsody]

1. They will make up the difference in volume...as so many more will have healthcare coverage...

[upaloopa]

2. I don't think so

That would mean they would have to work longer hours. I was a controller at a medical clinic and work at CPA firms with doctors for clients.
The majority I knew want as much money as possible and as little work as possible.
Many reach an income level they are comfortable with and never intend to work 40 hrs like working stiffs do because they don't have to to maintain that income level.
They are paid a percentage of the revenue the generate say 60% or around there.

[VanillaRhapsody]

3. No it wouldn't...

why would you think that? Do you think they are seeing patients 100% of the time? And they can even hire a P.A. to do some of the work.

[Hoyt]

6. The PAs aren't stupid, they want their cut too. The biggest problem with US health system

is the greed that runs through every sector of the system, even some patients abuse it.

[Hoyt]

5. Yep, they lament the good old days when Medicare paid them $5000 for a total hip.

Last edited Fri Nov 22, 2013, 12:26 AM - Edit history (1)

I'd be interested to know what the fee schedules being offered are. If less than or only slightly above Medicare, this could be a problem.

[Phlem]

4. Welcome to the fucking real world you roaches.

I've seen them both, those who genuinely care, and the whores. Unfortunately the latter prevails. At least where I live. There's nothing like living in Republican paradise.



-p

[brer cat]

7. I think there should be a shift to more

nurse practitioners and physician assistants for routine care. I have had better diagnostics from my nurse practitioner than the last couple of primary care doctors I have seen. The docs seem to busy to listen or ask many questions.

[Skittles]

8. assholes

in case they haven't noticed, lots of us took pay cuts in the real world

[phylny]

9. I'll be interested to see how reimbursement works across the board.

As it is now in our clinic (speech, physical, and occupational therapies for children) sometimes the reimbursement rate per 30-minute session doesn't even cover half the cost of the therapist, let alone the physical building, office staff, etc.

I'm all for the spoiled brats being brought down a few rungs, but reimbursement rates need to be in line with reality.

[Warpy]

10. They should be afraid about what's about to happen

Docs are now graduating with at least a quarter of a million dollars in debt. Because training is so long, their working life will be shorter than that of the typical 4 year liberal arts grad. They reached a limit on the number of patients they could safely follow a long time ago and have now exceeded it, experiencing a speedup like the rest of us have.

If they have a large percentage of their patients from the exchanges, they'll be living paycheck to paycheck like the rest of us.