Hillarysworld

This is very intersting.  I have doubts that this will pass.

IBD -- Investor's Business Daily is a very very well respected financial newspaper.. it costs like $400/ yr... it is mainly all finanicial news, and they do many such surveys when it relates to financial impacts to the economy..

I for one absolutely believe this story... I know 1 doctor who is already looking for university work or retire.. he's had it.. he doesn't want to deal with more paperwork

JustTheFacts wrote:

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shadow wrote:

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I believe it. The specialty physicians spend years learning their specialty. They won't accept paltry payments. This is why they refuse medicaid here.

I keep reading people saying "just give everyone medicaid" and none want to listen to those of us who have it and know what a joke it is. At least it is in my state. Sure they say they cover everything, but they don't mention they only pay 4 dollars for an mri, so nobody will accept it.

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Its the same way here, Shadow.  The specialists know better than to get involved with Medicaid because the payments are so low, so if you're on Medicaid, you can't see them unless you want to pay for it.



Maybe because I live in Pittsburgh and I have the medicid HMO I am not finding it to difficult to pay for treatment.  I haven't had any problem yet.

How on earth can someone who financially qualifies for Medicaid afford to pay a specialist?

 

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In my job, most of the kids I work with have Medicaid. It's difficult to get some services - particularly dental, as a lot of providers won't accept Medicaid payment. There's also a real problem getting medications. Medicaid will pay for only two non-generic prescriptions per month - without special exemption. Increasingly, kids are being hospitalized in psychiatric facilities, in many cases without good reason, imo, and almost always, they're discharged with several psychotropic meds - many of which are non-generic.

Many providers abuse Medicaid and Medicare - and engage in down right fraud. There is a huge need for reform of both programs.

This is just a small example of abuse: A relative of mine who receives Medicare coverage, as she is elderly, was discharged from a large hospital. At discharge, we were told that she would need several pieces of home care equipment, including oxygen - although it was anticipated that she would require it for only a day or two, since she was progressing rapidly, and oxygen levels were good. The hospital informed us that we could get the needed equipment from a number of suppliers in the area, but that it was also available through the hospital, which would be more convenient. We elected to get it from the hospital. After three days, oxygen was no longer needed, as confirmed by the visiting nurse for the hospital from which the patient was discharged. We phoned the equipment department of the hospital, explained that oxygen tank was no longer required, and inquired as to whether we should return it - or expect them to pick it up. We were told that they would need to pick the tank up, and they would do so within a day or two. After two weeks, the tank hadn't been picked up, we called - again were told it would be picked up in a day or two. We called several more times - still no pick up. Finally, at the end of six weeks, the tank was picked up - along with all the other equipment, as none of it was needed any longer. I have no doubt that Medicare was charged for every day that the tank was in the home.

This is just one very small example. The waste and fraud in both Medicare and Medicaid are enormous.

Any health care reform measure needs to address the waste/fraud issues, have a tort reform provision, and stop the drug companies from bleeding us dry.