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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Individual Health Insurance Coverage Vs Medi-Cal In California

By Daniel Abrams


Many California residents are concerned not just about the approaching changes with health insurance exchanges, but also with the absence of local doctors - particularly those who accept Medi-Cal. Compensation rates are so low, and under the constant threat of being cut even farther, many suppliers are not accepting of new patients for fear of not having the ability to cover their overhead.

Individual health insurance coverage already reductions the cash rates doctors routinely charge for services, from office visits to extensive lab tests. Having to address and maintain an office on decreased fees already has discouraged many new doctors from entering into general practice as their area of expertise, and those still in the field are seeing more patients for less money.

Individual health insurance coverage provides assurance for those in a position to purchase private health plans. As opposed to Medi-Cal patients, they have better access to providers and (studies show) a better likelihood of speedy referrals and expert care. However , with lots of lower revenue people fighting to keep health insurance cover for themselves and their families, Medi-Cal is the only choice. Add to this the dissolution of Healthy Families, the individual medical care insurance coverage provided through the state to children below the age of 18, the quantity of folk in the Medi-Cal system is growing quicker than the suppliers can treat. This leaves folks facing extremely long delays in getting critical medical care.

Individual health insurance policies offer a little more hope for those that can purchase thru non-public health insurance brokers. But more and more doctors still need to close their doors to new patients in any case, and fewer new doctors are entering into the family practice realm. Rustic and isolated areas are being hit the hardest, and as our aging population grows many are facing terrible consequences. It can take weeks or days to get in to see a provider, and sending them on for expert visits or more extensive lab works can take even longer. Many cite the ?negotiated? Compensation costs for their decisions to select cash patients over those with individual health insurance plans, or become a non-participating provider so that they can collect raised rates from patients. Medi-Cal patients face even worse situations, due to the even lower compensation rates. This could also impede the quality of care each patient receives as the doctor must move more patients through their office every day solely to keep the doors open.

Many feel the base of the problem is with Medi-Cal, and that is where we should start in terms of healing the system. Keeping the rates stabilized, and perhaps working out higher repayment rates for more specialized care can keep doctors in the Medi-Cal system and providing good care to patients. Working on controlling fraudulent billing which drains the state of millions is another methodology to keep funds going to the right people. Another is providing motivations to new doctors for entering into family and general practice fields and accepting individual health insurance plans. Keeping enough suppliers in the field, and ensuring they may be able to keep their offices open and running very efficiently can be the simplest answer.




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