Obamacare Enrollees having trouble finding Obamacare Doctors

Many consumers faced hurdles signing up for Covered California health plans

Now they're having trouble finding in-network doctors

A month into the most sweeping changes to healthcare in half a century, people are having trouble finding doctors at all, getting faulty information on which ones are covered and receiving little help from insurers swamped by new business.

Experts have warned for months that the logjam was inevitable. But the extent of the problems is taking by surprise many patients — and even doctors — as frustrations mount.

Obamacare enrollees hit snags at doctor's offices

Boy, the hits just keep on coming with Obamacare

Now many can't find a doctor under their new plan in their area
I can remember many doctors who spoke out against Obamacare before it passed, warning that this might happen...lack of doctors
And now that reality is hitting us in the face, it's not looking to good

So much for "You can keep you plan and your doctor"
Not to mention the cost is a lot higher than people were originally paying on their old plan
Just goes to show who you can NOT trust................................Obama anyone?

What a joke the ACA has become

Hmmm, ATS might want to add another forum, one just for 'Obamacare'.....just a thought. LOL

reply to post by snarky412


Maybe these enrollees would have better luck finding a Byelorussian doctor?

I saw the other thread!

What a mess the ACA is.

Interesting.

From the source....

But when she went to her oncologist's office, she promptly encountered a bright orange sign saying that Covered California plans are not accepted. www.latimes.com...

How would the "Oncologists office" know where she bought her Insurance from? They would just know the Insurance company and NOT whether it was purchased on an exchange or direct from them over the phone.

An article from August 2013 reads.....

The issue hit home for the Nelsons several weeks ago when their current health insurer, Aetna Inc., said they were among thousands of customers in California whose coverage will be canceled at year end. As a result, they will need to buy a new policy just as the federal law reshapes the market.

Many still not sure about coverage, cost BY CHAD TERHUNE / LOS ANGELES TIMES

Could it be that this family are just attention seekers who love to see their name in the paper?

If they keep up their MO we can expect to see them back in their local paper this August.

I wasn't aware there were many who bought the insurance. Since most can't afford it. Premiums of 800 a month with thousands to pay out of pocket, is not affordable to most people. And it would destroy local businesses for even those who earn 5000 a month would no longer have money to support them after their 1500-2000 home payments or rent for families.

Lets break down income. Rent 1600 a month, if you're lucky, for a house. 500 utilities. 100 insurance and bank fees. over 200 phone internet cable. Good nutritional food, not junk and vitamins, 1000 a month for a family of 4. More for us. Saving plans, and repairs, 500 a month more? Not much left to save up a down payment for a house yourself is there?

No one can afford their plan. It should be free or less than 100 a month for families. Universal coverage.

I don't think anyone was signing up except for the poor.

And isn't it ironic. Fukushima, in a couple years the full extent will be starting to be known. And in the US they've gutted the medical system. The whole Rockefeller clan took off for the highest mountains in India, and stayed for a good long while, just before Fukushima, those who orchestrated the entire thing.

Wake up and absolutely refuse to pay that, but also refuse to not have a good system for all. Don't let them off the hook. I don't think they'd be happy with 70% of the people phoning in and giving them crapola every day, so do it.

Oh heck.. What are they complaining about? Obamacare doctors are simple to find. We all know doctors have been overpaid and even they agree, don't they? So naturally, there are plenty of doctors standing by.

You just go down the road, past the UFO factory and hang a right at the old Smith property that used to have the cars on the blocks out front. When you get 'a ways' down that road, watch for the Unicorn farm and the Obamacare Doctor center is the next property on the left. Ya can't miss it, I promise!

See? Simple!

reply to post by BritofTexas

How would the "Oncologists office" know where she bought her Insurance from? They would just know the Insurance company and NOT whether it was purchased on an exchange or direct from them over the phone.

You are not denying that the signs have been put up in the offices, are you?

You are just asking a question that isn't relevant, right?

They are not Covered California plans, they are plans they selected from an insurance company after they were approved
for a subsidy and cost sharing benefits by Covered California. They need to check on the type of plan they have, PPO,HMO or EPO
and see a doctor in that network.

butcherguy
You are not denying that the signs have been put up in the offices, are you?
You are just asking a question that isn't relevant, right?

Let's see...

Danielle Nelson said Anthem Blue Cross promised half a dozen times that her oncologists would be covered under her new policy. www.latimes.com...

Does the paperwork on her Policy have "Obamacare" stamped across it in big neon green letters?

How would the Doctor know that she bought it on an exchange?

Anthem Blue Cross told her six times the Oncologist was in Network.

Either the entire story is a lie.

Or the Oncologist in question is disregarding their Hippocratic Oath for Political purposes.

Hope that clears up your misconception.

reply to post by BritofTexas


Big differences in the Networks.

It's the Networks.

The Networked policies are very discriminatory in California.

Question: There has been much talk about restricted provider networks in the Covered California plans. If the plans have to be the same as those offered outside the marketplace, how are they restricted? Or all all individual plans restricted in comparison to group plans? Can you shed some light on this subject?

Answer: Individual plan provider networks have been "narrowed" for 2014 as a way of controlling costs. That's because a smaller number of medical providers are willing to agree to lower contract rates. Carriers who offer qualified health plans in the exchange must "mirror" those plans (including networks) outside of the exchange, so the individual plan networks are identical in the exchange and off the exchange. Group plans will generally have broader networks than individual plans, if not the same as pre-2014.

Why are Networks Restricted?

reply to post by xuenchen


Seems this is the insurance companies.

From the comments section on the page you linked....

Just signed up for Blue Shield on Covered California because they said on-line that my current doctors were preferred providers in their network, but when I called the doctor’s offices to verify this, one office told me that Blue Shield does not remove the doctor’s names from their list even if they are no longer preferred providers (which, in this case they are not anymore.) They told me to be wary of the Blue Shield list, as they have tried unsuccessfully for several years to get their name removed.

This is the same Shell Game that insurers have always played. They try to get the best rates (for themselves, not us) from the Doctor or they don't include them "in network".