Dr. Discusses Ways to Eliminate Unnecessary Procedures

[Ann H]

This is a very well written article in the opinion section of the NY Times, written by a Cardiologist, about ways to eliminate unnecessary procedures and their costs. This is primarily about Medicare, but also applicable to any federally governed plan.

Squandering Medicare’s Money - NYTimes.com

 

[AndreaSti]

This is a very well written article in the opinion section of the NY Times, written by a Cardiologist, about ways to eliminate unnecessary procedures and their costs. This is primarily about Medicare, but also applicable to any federally governed plan.

Squandering Medicare’s Money - NYTimes.com

Sounds like common sense solutions. Therein lies the problem (common sense I mean). There is none anymore. If any of this were implemented it would be spun as government denying care (aka "death panels"). They would also be taking away something that is currently being given out, which is almost impossible in today's environment. Plus the author rightly points out how Medicare and health insurance companies get bad press if they do deny coverage. Whether it is justified or not, it is easier to vilify the companies (and Medicare) than to make an educated, informed, denial. Reminds me of the uproar over a denial by Aetna in California some years ago, I think it was about a 17 year old. Turns out she died, but the treatment denied was totally experimental and there was no evidence that it would have helped her in the first place. What they wanted was for insurance to cover any treatment thrown out there. Sounds good in theory but where do you stop? Some people think voodoo works. Should insurance pay for that? Maybe not a good example but you get my drift (hopefully).

 

[somarco]

Reminds me of the uproar over a denial by Aetna in California some years ago, I think it was about a 17 year old. Turns out she died, but the treatment denied was totally experimental and there was no evidence that it would have helped her in the first place.

You may be thinking of Nataline Sarkisyan. We followed this on InsureBlog while it was going on.

 

[AndreaSti]

You may be thinking of Nataline Sarkisyan. We followed this on InsureBlog while it was going on.

Ah, Cigna, not Aetna. So many carriers, so many accusations. I get them confused.