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Thousands of Doctors Fired by United HealthCare

ItAin'tFree

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"In the midst of major changes in health care, UnitedHealthCare has sent thousands of pink slips to Connecticut doctors.

Termination letters went to physicians caring for Medicare patients. Those letters were sent out to doctors caring for 'Medicare Advantage' patients. It's a plan, marketed to Seniors to provide additional services through UnitedHealthCare.

A mix of primary care and specialty doctors are affected by it. And it comes at a questionable time.

Open enrollment for Medicare starts next Tuesday, and it's still not clear at this time as to which doctors are still in the United network.

The Connecticut State Medical Society is fighting back. The biggest concern is patient access to healthcare."
Analysis: Budget talk ideas delay, don't resolve | Connecticut | onPolitix


Thousands of people are getting an early welcome to the age of no healthcare but health insurance for everyone. This isn't the first example and it will not be anywhere near the last. Obamadon'tcare is a bad idea and bad ideas do not get better with time.

For your sake, I hope you never get sick or hurt because Obama and the Dems have set up a plan that destroys healthcare. Not to mention the budget and jobs and....
 
"In the midst of major changes in health care, UnitedHealthCare has sent thousands of pink slips to Connecticut doctors.

Termination letters went to physicians caring for Medicare patients. Those letters were sent out to doctors caring for 'Medicare Advantage' patients. It's a plan, marketed to Seniors to provide additional services through UnitedHealthCare.

A mix of primary care and specialty doctors are affected by it. And it comes at a questionable time.

Open enrollment for Medicare starts next Tuesday, and it's still not clear at this time as to which doctors are still in the United network.

The Connecticut State Medical Society is fighting back. The biggest concern is patient access to healthcare."
Analysis: Budget talk ideas delay, don't resolve | Connecticut | onPolitix


Thousands of people are getting an early welcome to the age of no healthcare but health insurance for everyone. This isn't the first example and it will not be anywhere near the last. Obamadon'tcare is a bad idea and bad ideas do not get better with time.

For your sake, I hope you never get sick or hurt because Obama and the Dems have set up a plan that destroys healthcare. Not to mention the budget and jobs and....

Your blog source just changed the link to what you posted. The link now points to a different article. I had that happen to me once before. LOL.
 
Medicare Advantage is desperate from and has existed before the ACA, it was created in 1997 and amended in 2003.

This is a move by UHC to maximize profits over the needs of Seniors.

The network flap comes days before the Medicare open enrollment period begins. Between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, seniors can sign up for Medicare Advantage plans, drop the program in favor of “original” Medicare, and select Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

Dr. Michael F. Saffir, the medical society's president, said the timing of the changes was "questionable." "How can seniors make informed decisions when their own doctors don’t even know whether they’re in the United network?” he said.

There was also confusion about the notices. Many doctors got more than one letter, and the medical society said UnitedHealthcare officials had said that some doctors who got the notice could still be in the Medicare Advantage network. Company officials couldn’t confirm whether all affected doctors had received the notice, the medical society added.

The medical society said the American Medical Association is investigating “similar situations in other states.”

In response to the medical society’s comments, Goldstein said, “We offer our members one of the most extensive networks of health care providers in Connecticut and remain committed to ensuring they have continued access to quality, affordable care. Members with questions are encouraged to call the customer service number on the back of their member ID card for more information.”

Saffir questioned the wisdom of making such a broad cut to the provider network.

“Even if you need to cut something, you use a scalpel, not a chainsaw,” he said. “The approach is so disruptive and abrupt that you’re going to alienate both doctors and patients.”

Saffier said he was concerned that other insurers could also decide to reduce their physician networks as a way to cut costs in the Medicare Advantage program. But he said negative reaction from doctors and patients could give them pause before taking such a broad approach.


UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage network changes roil physician groups | The CT Mirror
 
The medical society said the American Medical Association is investigating “similar situations in other states.”

The results of the bad idea of Obamadon'tcare is not and will not be limited to one state. Hope everyone is in good health.
 
The results of the bad idea of Obamadon'tcare is not and will not be limited to one state. Hope everyone is in good health.
It hasn't gotten through yet that this is not the ACA nor have you shown any connection to this being caused by the ACA.

No correlation, no causation.
 
It hasn't gotten through yet that this is not the ACA nor have you shown any connection to this being caused by the ACA.

No correlation, no causation.

Oh come on, why bother with facts when you can just blame Obama for everything. It's easier that way.
 
Oh come on, why bother with facts when you can just blame Obama for everything. It's easier that way.

Last I recall Obama is not at fault for anything, it's always someone else fault.
 
From the OP article:


UPDATE: In an email statement, UnitedHealthCare spokesman Ben Goldstein told News 8, "With the many changes happening in health care, we are building a network of health care providers that we can collaborate with more closely to have the most positive impact on the quality of care for our members. We are prepared to help our members transition to new providers. Members with questions are encouraged to call the customer service number on the back of their member ID card for more information."


The UHC is an insurance plan and they are negotiating with doctors to become part of their network plan. A lot insurance companies do this. We've been on a similar plan for years, that if we use the plan's network doctors we can save a lot of out of pocket money than using one that isn't. As far as I know it doesn't effect Medicare or Obamacare at all. But it can save the consumer some money. So what is the problem? Some doctors don't want to be part of the plan because they want to charge more money. Thats their choice...and ultimately their loss.
 
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What amazes me most besides the obvious ignorances mentioned above, it that not one conservative is mad at the insurance company that has made a choice to do this. Somehow it's implied that the government forced this choice on them. Because, of course, choosing to make more money just seems be a better choice for conservatives than healthy parents and grandparents. The Me, me, Mine! generation is at the helm.

I'll tell you what, conservatives, I'll change my mind if you'll provide for free, safe abortions, and free, humane euthanasia for any adult that wants it. At least this way, I'll know that in a small way, many will have relatively quick painless deaths compared to what they'll face under the health/insurance regime we've lived under to date which the conservatives want to both return to and ease regulations and/or penalties associated with the same.
 
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It hasn't gotten through yet that this is not the ACA nor have you shown any connection to this being caused by the ACA.

No correlation, no causation.

Right here from the article: "A mix of primary care and specialty doctors are affected by it. And it comes at a questionable time. Open enrollment for Medicare starts next Tuesday,"


When expenses go up a business has to increase revenue or cut costs. Obamadon'tcare has caused expenses to go up, a lot. Figure it out.
 
Right here from the article: "A mix of primary care and specialty doctors are affected by it. And it comes at a questionable time. Open enrollment for Medicare starts next Tuesday,"


When expenses go up a business has to increase revenue or cut costs. Obamadon'tcare has caused expenses to go up, a lot. Figure it out.
Umm....

It hasn't gotten through yet that this is not the ACA nor have you shown any connection to this being caused by the ACA.

No correlation, no causation.
 
Right here from the article: "A mix of primary care and specialty doctors are affected by it. And it comes at a questionable time. Open enrollment for Medicare starts next Tuesday,"


When expenses go up a business has to increase revenue or cut costs. Obamadon'tcare has caused expenses to go up, a lot. Figure it out.
You do know that Medicare enrollment mentioned is an annual thing, right? Has been for many years, as people need to sometimes change plans and others become of age to get onto the plan? Nothing to do with ACA, timing is simply similar because it's nearing year end.
 
Last I recall Obama is not at fault for anything, it's always someone else fault.

Right. Because you have not established any link between this event and Obamacare, and someone pointed that out, that means other people say Obama is not at fault for anything ever.

This is a reasonable thing you're saying. Logical.
 
It hasn't gotten through yet that this is not the ACA nor have you shown any connection to this being caused by the ACA.

No correlation, no causation.

Technically Medicare is not part of the ACA. But the 200 billion that the ACA cut from the Medicare advantage plans is. One of the many points that has been made over and over is in doing such, people on Medicare will have fewer choices on where to get healthcare. In this case, that is what United healthcare is doing. And it is what others have already done and many more will do, limit choices which rations care which allows them to stay in business for a little while longer. Correlation equals causation here.

But back to the issue of Medicare. The IPAB will set the fees for Medicare. The IPAB will operate under the authority of the ACA. They are going to cut the payment to Medicare providers. This will cut the number of providers for people on Medicare. This will ration care for those on medicare. Correlation will equal causation here as well, it's just a matter of time.

If either of those actions don't get the costs down to what the government or the Secof health and Human services want, then the Sec of health and human services will be allowed to set the fees as he or she sees fit. All under the authority of the ACA. See here's more correlation that will equal causation, it's just waiting on it's time.
 
You do know that Medicare enrollment mentioned is an annual thing, right? Has been for many years, as people need to sometimes change plans and others become of age to get onto the plan? Nothing to do with ACA, timing is simply similar because it's nearing year end.

Yes, I know that. But it has plenty to do with the ACA because people that sign up for Medicare will want one of the supplemental plans that go with it. Which is covered under the ACA.
 
What amazes me most besides the obvious ignorances mentioned above, it that not one conservative is mad at the insurance company that has made a choice to do this. Somehow it's implied that the government forced this choice on them. Because, of course, choosing to make more money just seems be a better choice for conservatives than healthy parents and grandparents. The Me, me, Mine! generation is at the helm.

I'll tell you what, conservatives, I'll change my mind if you'll provide for free, safe abortions, and free, humane euthanasia for any adult that wants it. At least this way, I'll know that in a small way, many will have relatively quick painless deaths compared to what they'll face under the health/insurance regime we've lived under to date which the conservatives want to both return to and ease regulations and/or penalties associated with the same.

it's interesting that the only 2 facets of healthcare you bring up is abortion and euthanasia..... very very odd priorities you have there, to say the least.

i'm really not sure I buy your excuse that regulations/laws don't cause companies to make decisions like this.... in fact, I know I don't buy it... it's balderdash.

while you are trying to blame greed and "me me me" for all this, I think you need to take fiduciary duty into consideration...it doesn't make for a sexy political statement, but it does explain why many of these decisions are made....
as an aside ,fiduciary duties are the strictest duties of care recognized and enforced by our legal system.... it's not wise to ignore it.
 
Yes, I know that. But it has plenty to do with the ACA because people that sign up for Medicare will want one of the supplemental plans that go with it. Which is covered under the ACA.
The Medicare Supplemental plans have been around a long time, not anything new. That's exactly what this OP is discussing, not Medicare but the Medicare Supplementals. The farce is strong within in you. Bless your heart.
 
it's interesting that the only 2 facets of healthcare you bring up is abortion and euthanasia..... very very odd priorities you have there, to say the least. i'm really not sure I buy your excuse that regulations/laws don't cause companies to make decisions like this.... in fact, I know I don't buy it... it's balderdash. while you are trying to blame greed and "me me me" for all this, I think you need to take fiduciary duty into consideration...it doesn't make for a sexy political statement, but it does explain why many of these decisions are made.... as an aside ,fiduciary duties are the strictest duties of care recognized and enforced by our legal system.... it's not wise to ignore it.
The question is, for people who aren't all me me me, is if not, what are those that my tax and/or insurance dollars help take of going to do? No bleeding heart here, just seriously. Are they supposed to die in the streets? Are we supposed to continue as tax payers to be drained at ER rates instead of insurance rates? I'm sorry but any mathematical competent libertarian would see that ACA is not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot more fiscally responsible and will cost less tax dollars than what we have had. But it seems that libertarians and republicans don't believe in responsibility of the government to the people who pay taxes, but instead believe in the responsibility of the government to the employers of We, the People. I guess it's a reflection of how much all libertarians and republicans love their bosses.... yeah, right.
 
The Medicare Supplemental plans have been around a long time, not anything new. That's exactly what this OP is discussing, not Medicare but the Medicare Supplementals. The farce is strong within in you. Bless your heart.

No kidding? That must be why I typed this out: "Yes, I know that. But it has plenty to do with the ACA because people that sign up for Medicare will want one of the supplemental plans that go with it. Which is covered under the ACA."

And this: "Technically Medicare is not part of the ACA. But the 200 billion that the ACA cut from the Medicare advantage plans is. One of the many points that has been made over and over is in doing such, people on Medicare will have fewer choices on where to get healthcare. In this case, that is what United healthcare is doing. "

The strong "farce" you have must be due to your inability to read.
 
Are we supposed to continue as tax payers to be drained at ER rates instead of insurance rates? I'm sorry but any mathematical competent libertarian would see that ACA is not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot more fiscally responsible and will cost less tax dollars than what we have had.

Under Obamadon'tcare taxpayers get drained for funding it and will continue to get drained for people with no insurance making their visits to the ER. Lose, lose for the taxpayer.
 
It hasn't gotten through yet that this is not the ACA nor have you shown any connection to this being caused by the ACA.

No correlation, no causation.

If you see no correlation and no causation, you are wearing blinders. The ACA has diverted 415 billion dollars from medicare to the ACA and, in the process, has decreased paymnts to the doctors and the healthcare providers.

Decreasing payments decreases income. Is that to obvious a statement to make?

Here in Indianapolis, the largest medical provider is laying off a whole bunch of folks, too.

For those of you playing along at home, that's another 9000 jobs nationwide so far down the drain courtesy of the most anti-job administration in history.

Medicare’s ‘Piggy Bank’

<snip>
The biggest savings from the Affordable Care Act come from reductions in the future growth of payments to hospitals — about $415 billion over 10 years. That’s Medicare Part A. Income for Part A comes mainly from payroll taxes. If Medicare doesn’t need to spend that income immediately, it’s credited to Part A’s trust fund, and Medicare gets a Treasury bond that it can cash in later. Anytime Medicare needs to cash in that bond, Treasury must pay it. Even if Treasury spent the original money on something else, it must pay the bond.
<snip>

St. Vincent Health eliminating about 865 jobs | 2013-06-28 | Indianapolis Business Journal | IBJ.com
Worried about the future, IU Health cuts 800 jobs, even as income soars | 2013-09-12 | Indianapolis Business Journal | IBJ.com


Hospital Layoffs Rise In ObamaCare Era - Yahoo Finance
<snip>
That busy health care industry to-do list ahead of ObamaCare includes an increasing number of hospital job cuts. Since the start of May, hospital groups have announced plans to lay off nearly 6,000 workers. Add in several thousand additional positions seeing fewer hours or cuts through attrition and buyouts, and the work reductions impact more than 9,000 jobs.
An IBD review found layoff and workforce reduction announcements covering 75 hospital groups in 33 states and the District of Columbia.
<snip>
 
What amazes me most besides the obvious ignorances mentioned above, it that not one conservative is mad at the insurance company that has made a choice to do this. Somehow it's implied that the government forced this choice on them. Because, of course, choosing to make more money just seems be a better choice for conservatives than healthy parents and grandparents. The Me, me, Mine! generation is at the helm.

I'll tell you what, conservatives, I'll change my mind if you'll provide for free, safe abortions, and free, humane euthanasia for any adult that wants it. At least this way, I'll know that in a small way, many will have relatively quick painless deaths compared to what they'll face under the health/insurance regime we've lived under to date which the conservatives want to both return to and ease regulations and/or penalties associated with the same.



What does "free" mean in your world?
 
Right here from the article: "A mix of primary care and specialty doctors are affected by it. And it comes at a questionable time. Open enrollment for Medicare starts next Tuesday,"


When expenses go up a business has to increase revenue or cut costs. Obamadon'tcare has caused expenses to go up, a lot. Figure it out.




Most directly, the ACA has mandated reduced payments for services.

This is just a tad different than Nixon's wage and price controls that didn't work then and won't work now.
 
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