State healthcare for the poor...Medic-Aid, right?

[FirstLight]

When talking about Medicare, that's the seniors program...but what about the state care that is given to folks on foodstamps/ TANF...?

Here in CA, it is called Medi-CAL...and has also implemented a sliding scale of sorts to have those who are making more (compared to next to nothing) to pay a minimal co-pay, etc...

Here's some issues:

Not every doctor "accepts" Medi-CAL - meaning if you are in a rural area you may have to travel to find a doctor or emergency room....and usually you end up in the clinic, where you may or may not get an appt, or get a doctor who knows you or your history. Tom, Dick & Harry healthcare is spotty at best.

Any needs beyond General Practicioner is usually referred to a specialist... even OBGYN issues or Rhuematology, Alergies, etc..these folks are either booked out for months or refuse to see you depending on your case, and can be miles away as well. Only certain specialists will "accept" Medi-CAL...so you have limited to no options. ...and there are guidelines to all procedures, no such thing as elective hysterectomy or something equally necessary, no second opinions either...what they say goes.

Many medications are "not covered" by Medi-CAL...meaning that my doctor may want to give me Cipro for a sinus infection, but has to settle for penecillin because it is all that is covered. What about those with special conditions and on other medicines, do the doctors get to pick the safest medicine for their patient...or is the state "Insurance" option dictating who gets the good meds?

Is this fair?

I am NOT saying I wish Medi-CAL were eliminated...if my family didn't have this, we'd have nothing.
BUT I wonder if the changes that are talked about will be implemented in the Medi-CAL state systems too?
Will Medi-CAL no longer be something doctors can refuse? will they no longer be able to tell me I can't have the meds or procedures my doctor wants to give me? Will I have the same accessibility that everyone has?

hmmm...I honestly don't know the answer... is it in any of the Bills?

[FirstLight]

1. kick

...anyone..? ...anyone? ..Bueller?

[sandnsea]

2. I was on Medicaid in Montana for a while

It covered better than any insurance I've ever had.

Of course I ask my doctor to prescribe the penicillin or whatever is on the generic $4 list. Because I have to pay for it.


And I have to travel 60 miles to see a specialist because my GP isn't a specialist. Or wait until one comes here.

These problems aren't unique to Medicaid or Medical.

I suspect doctors will be allowed to see whoever they want to see as long as they're allowed to open a private practice.

[virgogal]

3. I'm on Medicare and was turned down by an endocrinologist but am

in an urban/suburban area so had no problem finding another doctor. Must be tough for folks in rural areas.

[FirstLight]

4. we have NO GP that accepts Medi-CAL

one clinic or the ER, that's it...they ONLY make same day appts and you see whoever is there..

ONE dentist who takes Medi-CAL - and they are serious sadists...the next one is 75 miles down the mountain and books 2 months out

so, ya, kind of hard to live rurally

but the thing is - will changes in healthcare mean that doctos can;t refuse Medi-CAL anymore? I really would like to have the same options as someone who can afford to "buy in" to the public option...

[virgogal]

5. I can't answer your question but keep checking DU and someone will come

up with the info.

[aquart]

7. Oh, I would love them not to be able to refuse.

But that will never happen. Right now, they can even refuse because of conscience. And Kennedy was in favor of that.

[FirstLight]

6. kick for some answers! nt

[Dappleganger]

8. IOW you're treated like 2nd class citizens.

That's what is farked up, that doctors can choose to not accept Medicare patients (or Medi-Cal, as what you referred to). IMO they should have to treat them w/the same respect as any other patient.