Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1st

[BillJ]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

Whatever the other anecdotal evidence, my wife who is a mental heath professional will lose Medicare and Medicaid patients under Obamacare. They simply will not pay for her services. In a meeting with a representative of the (insert Federal Agency that I don't remember the name of because I don't work in that area) she and her colleagues were told in no uncertain terms that they were "committing fraud" by doing what they were trained to do, counseling, and under ACA would no longer be paid.

That really doesn't sound right.

My big fear is that once it's in place and "running," services will have to be reduced due to funding limitations. Our government doesn't do very many things efficiently, and adding 1/6 of our economy to that mess is not encouraging.

But the government isn't really in charge of it. They've set up the general framework but most of it is going through insurance companies.

 

[marksound]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

^^We'll just have to see how it plays out.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

Whatever the other anecdotal evidence, my wife who is a mental heath professional will lose Medicare and Medicaid patients under Obamacare. They simply will not pay for her services. In a meeting with a representative of the (insert Federal Agency that I don't remember the name of because I don't work in that area) she and her colleagues were told in no uncertain terms that they were "committing fraud" by doing what they were trained to do, counseling, and under ACA would no longer be paid.

That really doesn't sound right.

Sounds odd to me, too. Carcazoid, is it a matter of what kind of training and licenses she and her colleagues have, or what? 'Cause the coinsurance for mental health visits is actually going down from 35% to 20% of the Medicare approved amount on 1/1/14. (Linky: scroll down to p. 37.)

 

[IndyJones]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

Whatever the other anecdotal evidence, my wife who is a mental heath professional will lose Medicare and Medicaid patients under Obamacare. They simply will not pay for her services. In a meeting with a representative of the (insert Federal Agency that I don't remember the name of because I don't work in that area) she and her colleagues were told in no uncertain terms that they were "committing fraud" by doing what they were trained to do, counseling, and under ACA would no longer be paid.

That really doesn't sound right.

Agreed.

I'd love to see the regulations he's referring to. Most of what we've learned about ObamaCare is that it provides new *minumum* standards of care that must be provided which include:

All insurance under Obamacare has to cover a set of health benefits the Obama administration has defined as “essential.” They are “ambulatory patient services; emergency services; hospitalization; maternity and newborn care; mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; prescription drugs; rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; laboratory services; preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and pediatric services, including oral and vision care.”

The threats of death panels and of the government taking away care are greatly exaggerated. Additionally, it should be noted that the Medicare cuts in ObamaCare were adopted by Paul Ryan in his budget, so that fight's over.

Also, depending on the state, there will soon be many more patients on Medicaid and with private insurance because of the law, as well as the ever increasing number of Medicare eligible baby boomers.

 

[marksound]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

I'm just relaying what my wife told me after the meeting with the "official."

There seems to be a lot of stuff not in writing that is being laid out as fact from both sides.

As I said, we'll have to see how it plays out. Not like we really have a choice at this point.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAIpI8IxgFs[/yt]

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

Well, the part I just laid out is in writing from Medicare, which is why I linked to it.

I'm still curious, if it's not more personal than you want to post, what kind of professional your wife is.

 

[IndyJones]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

I'm just relaying what my wife told me after the meeting with the "official."

There seems to be a lot of stuff not in writing that is being laid out as fact from both sides.

Please ask her later what regulation she's referring to. She should, after all know, and without that it seems like you're just trying to stir the pot.

 

[marksound]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

Not trying to stir anything, that's why I specifically stated that we'll have to see how it plays out and there seems to be a lot of stuff not in writing that is being laid out as fact from both sides.

But thanks for trying to make it seem like I was. :P

 

[Manticore]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

Not trying to stir anything, that's why I specifically stated that we'll have to see how it plays out and there seems to be a lot of stuff not in writing that is being laid out as fact from both sides.

But thanks for trying to make it seem like I was. :P

It's more that there's so few specifics in the anecdote that it's hard to debate it or reason it out. That makes it come across a bit more poorly is all.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

In a meeting with a representative of the (insert Federal Agency that I don't remember the name of because I don't work in that area) she and her colleagues were told in no uncertain terms that they were "committing fraud" by doing what they were trained to do, counseling, and under ACA would no longer be paid.

I call bullshit on that.

 

[IndyJones]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

If for no other reason than as providers we are free to practice however we want as long as it meets state guidelines. If we bill for something that Medicare won't cover, they smiply don't cover it. There's no fraud there.

We're still free to perform the service, and free to submit the claim to our Medicare administrator, and they're free to deny the claim. If it's a legitimate claim, and if we did our due diligence and had the patient fill out an Advance Beneficiary Notice (a form that says some services might not be covered by the insurance and that the patient will be responsible for any charges incurred) before the procedure? Then the patient pays us.

So, this doesn't sound right based on what we know of the law, and it certainly doesn't sound right based on what I know as a Medicare provider.

Not trying to stir anything...
But thanks for trying to make it seem like I was. :P

Yeah, the anti-Democrat youtube clip certainly didn't contribute to that impression.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

Anecdotal, but first hand.

Well, it's second hand, possibly third. It's from your wife, from someone else. It's devoid of context. That's the problem with anecdotal stories, they often lack the necessary information.

There are people involved in the health care industry who would understand what's going on if they have more information. But it's hard to place any value on your anecdote without that info.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

The fact is, many stores (Walgreens) and hospitals won;t take Medicare because it doesn't pay enough to make ends meet.

Post proof, please. Here's mine, to the contrary. Link:

Q: Does Walgreens accept Medicaid benefits?

A: Yes, Walgreens accepts both Medicare and Medicaid. See your local store for details regarding coverage.

Did this answer your question?
Q: What are the benefits of Medicare Part D?

A: If you've been paying cash for your prescriptions, Medicare Part D can help save you money. Each provider's plan must be approved by Medicare, which means you have the security of reliable prescription insurance, no matter which plan you choose. Follow Medicare Part D for more information.

Did this answer your question?

 

[Davros]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

The fact is, many stores (Walgreens) and hospitals won;t take Medicare because it doesn't pay enough to make ends meet.

Where are you getting this from?

 

[auntiehill]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

^Well, he's not getting that info from Walgreen's.

Walgreen's Medicare Services

 

[MacLeod]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

I have a question for my US cousins, can I purchase private medical insurance in the US and pay for it myself (no employer contribution)?

 

[RoJoHen]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

I have a question for my US cousins, can I purchase private medical insurance in the US and pay for it myself (no employer contribution)?

Of course, assuming the insurance provider doesn't deny you coverage.

That's what I've been doing for years.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

I have a question for my US cousins, can I purchase private medical insurance in the US and pay for it myself (no employer contribution)?

Yes.

 

[IndyJones]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

I have a question for my US cousins, can I purchase private medical insurance in the US and pay for it myself (no employer contribution)?

Of course, assuming the insurance provider doesn't deny you coverage.

And starting January first they can't deny you.

 

[MacLeod]

Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

I thought as much, after all some within this thread seem to be advocating a free-market form of Health coverage (as it would be better than what the US has and be better tthan Universal Health Care), which to me would mean that the individual goes out and buys the best coverage they can afford or the coverage they think they'll need.

So part of the overall health rating for the US would include those people who use that method. So for example the argument that you can't compare because iit isn't free market isn't exactly true. You can compare because even in countries like the UK which has UHC you can buy Private Medical Care.