Doctors Telling Employees: Your ObamaCare Plans Not Valid

[somarco]

Just because a provider is in network does not mean they are obligated to take new patients. They still have the option (for now at least) to put a new patient on a waiting list or tell them they are not taking new patients at this time.

If they are a primary care provider in an HMO network, the doc that accepts a new patient can receive a capitation fee as long as they are the named PCP and the policyholder pays their premium.

No matter what the deductible is, if someone is broke they will not be paying it.

They don't have to be broke to stiff the provider. Just have an attitude that they are entitled to care.

 

[scagnt83]

Just because a provider is in network does not mean they are obligated to take new patients. They still have the option (for now at least) to put a new patient on a waiting list or tell them they are not taking new patients at this time.

If they are a primary care provider in an HMO network, the doc that accepts a new patient can receive a capitation fee as long as they are the named PCP and the policyholder pays their premium.



They don't have to be broke to stiff the provider. Just have an attitude that they are entitled to care.

Great points. All they have to do is not take new patients, then move to a different network or cash only/first model.

 

[Ann H]

Under COBRA, a hospital or other provider is allowed to pay the premium, and they have been doing this for years.

I anticipate that this will happen under PPACA, too.

However...... what happens at tax-filing time? Will the IRS say this is additional income for the patient? If so, that would affect MAGI, and therefore the subsidy. I'm sure those questions will come up, especially if the administration decides they want to control this practice.

 

[scagnt83]

Under COBRA, a hospital or other provider is allowed to pay the premium, and they have been doing this for years.

I anticipate that this will happen under PPACA, too.

However...... what happens at tax-filing time? Will the IRS say this is additional income for the patient? If so, that would affect MAGI, and therefore the subsidy. I'm sure those questions will come up, especially if the administration decides they want to control this practice.

The unkown unkowns of this mess are growing everyday