AZ Mayo Clinic Drops Medicare 2010

[G.Gordon]

Seems to me that the Dr.'s are sending a message to both the gov't and patients. Can you imagine the seniors reaction to getting dropped by their doctor because of Obamacare!

I agree. There are two things I don't think the admin is taking into account. Insurance companies are private companies. Allbeit they are governed by the DOI's they can't be forced into a no-win situation. Look back at Alabama in the late 90's. The gov passed some laws that opened up every health insurer to unlimited lawsuits and inability to make decisions based on risk. Within the first 30 days many carriers left that market and by the 90 day mark there was ONE left... Blue Cross of Alabama that had a special deal.

Doctors... they are a private business as well. They can't be forced to work for free.

 

[floridabroker]

To me the Mayo Clinic is all about the dough.

At least a dozen times in the past 5 years I have had folks with medicare advantage plans try use the mayo here in Florida.

The latest has Secure horizons. Here is how the story went.

Client asked if she could have shoulder surgery at Mayo Clinic if she wanted. I gave her all the options including paying out of her pocket and getting reimbursed.

I told her to call and call me back.

The lady at Mayo told her they don't take ANY Medicare Adv. plans and was really rude.

So my client who has money said "Well that's fine I will pay for it and get reimbursed!"

the lady from Mayo says "We wouldn't let you do that!"

Wow! Arrogance and a complete disregard for people.

So many people hold Mayon on a pedestal like so many doctors.

It would just be nice if these facilities and doctors would say how they really feel.

Of course then our clients would see the truth.

 

[medx]

(Seems to me that the Dr.'s are sending a message to both the gov't and patients. Can you imagine the seniors reaction to getting dropped by their doctor because of Obamacare!)

I agree.
Medicare information medigap plans online
Medicare supplement insurance information guide website and Medicare supplement Insurance website
American Seniors Insurance
www.americanseniors.com (American Seniors - Medicare Supplement Insurance Quotes)

National Medicare Supplements
medicare supplemental insurance guide
Get answers about medigap plans in your state
www.nationalmedicaresupplements.com

 

[maleman2045]

To me the Mayo Clinic is all about the dough.

Well, since we do not live in a communist or socialist country, what company would not want to make money??

At least a dozen times in the past 5 years I have had folks with medicare advantage plans try use the mayo here in Florida.

A couple of things here....
Mayo in JAX stopped accepting Med Adv plans 2 years ago.
I pulled a story I read several months ago for your reference. Search for medicare advantage on the page:
Mayo Clinic fees may be different | Jacksonville.com

A common problem people have with Medicare Advantage plans is they do not understand how they work.

If the physician or facility is not listed in the book of participating physicians or facilities in the service area, I have my clients contact me or the Med Adv plan to determine of it will be covered as an out of network expense.
They may not be happy about how Med Adv plans work, but they understand and since it is the only cost effective option that limits their annual financial risk they can afford, I make sure they understand how it works.

The latest has Secure horizons. Here is how the story went.

Client asked if she could have shoulder surgery at Mayo Clinic if she wanted. I gave her all the options including paying out of her pocket and getting reimbursed.

I told her to call and call me back.

The lady at Mayo told her they don't take ANY Medicare Adv. plans and was really rude.

So my client who has money said "Well that's fine I will pay for it and get reimbursed!"

the lady from Mayo says "We wouldn't let you do that!"

Wow! Arrogance and a complete disregard for people.

While I do agree that specific incident of customer service is very poor (and that seems to be fairly common across multiple businesses) , it is clearly spelled out on their page that Mayo does not accept MA plans.

Medicare Coverage and Claims Information, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.


As insurance agents we have to explain all aspects of everything we sell (good, bad, and indifferent), otherwise we are providing a disservice to our clients..

 

[blaze1x]

I'm not sure what this has to do with Obamacare. If the doctor's are deciding now that they currently aren't making money with their medicare patients, how does Obama's name enter the discussion?

 

[retread]

Well, since we do not live in a communist or socialist country, what company would not want to make money??




A couple of things here....
Mayo in JAX stopped accepting Med Adv plans 2 years ago.
I pulled a story I read several months ago for your reference. Search for medicare advantage on the page:
Mayo Clinic fees may be different | Jacksonville.com

A common problem people have with Medicare Advantage plans is they do not understand how they work.

If the physician or facility is not listed in the book of participating physicians or facilities in the service area, I have my clients contact me or the Med Adv plan to determine of it will be covered as an out of network expense.
They may not be happy about how Med Adv plans work, but they understand and since it is the only cost effective option that limits their annual financial risk they can afford, I make sure they understand how it works.




While I do agree that specific incident of customer service is very poor (and that seems to be fairly common across multiple businesses) , it is clearly spelled out on their page that Mayo does not accept MA plans.

Medicare Coverage and Claims Information, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.


As insurance agents we have to explain all aspects of everything we sell (good, bad, and indifferent), otherwise we are providing a disservice to our clients..

First of all this information is an interpretation from a news reporter. We, as licensed agents, are required to study the regulations, not the newspapers.

1) The title of the news article misleads readers because it does not distinguish between "accepting Medicare" and "accepting Medicare assignment". It does point out the differences between rules for reimbursement between doctors and hospitals, but fails to point out why.

2) PFFS plans always have and continue to be subject to refusal of Medicare assignment. Most Medicare doctors accept assignment, but Mayo didn't at least as far back as 2007. (I didn't sell PFFS plans earlier than that, so I won't comment) This is no different from all other Medicare approved doctors. Hospitals are a little different.... depends on whether they are subsidized or not.

3) There are 3 different Mayo clinics, each one apparently has a little different patient policy. The Rochester clinic has stopped accepting Medicaid patients. I don't know if the other two have also, but would not be surprised.

4) Mayo has announced that it will continue to accept Medicare patients, as long as they pay an additional annual fee. (There are non-Mayo doctors around the country beginning to do the same.) I don't think non-profit hospitals are allowed this option due to their government subsidy, but for-profit hospitals should have no restrictions, so the Mayo Clinic falls into the latter category.

 

[GreenSky]

4) Mayo has announced that it will continue to accept Medicare patients, as long as they pay an additional annual fee. (There are non-Mayo doctors around the country beginning to do the same.) I don't think non-profit hospitals are allowed this option due to their government subsidy, but for-profit hospitals should have no restrictions, so the Mayo Clinic falls into the latter category.

There is a limit to how much a physician who does not accept assignment can charge, how does this fee business figure in? I'm not objecting to Mayo doing this, but can't figure out how they can do this and still have a Medicare contract.

Perhaps it's the same as when I get a "fee" on my property taxes. It's not a tax if you call it a fee.

Rick

 

[retread]

There is a limit to how much a physician who does not accept assignment can charge, how does this fee business figure in? I'm not objecting to Mayo doing this, but can't figure out how they can do this and still have a Medicare contract.

Perhaps it's the same as when I get a "fee" on my property taxes. It's not a tax if you call it a fee.

Rick

You raise a good point, but some lawyer has obviously found a loophole....