Daily News Updates - Health Insurance News

What’s all this fighting about?, Pt.13 – Serious medical doctor depression?

Previous…

Ms. Pipes predicts there to be a ‘shortage of doctors’ as a result of ‘reasonable cost limit’ regulation imposed by a public health insurance system, like Medicare. Realistically, though, an inevitable offshoot of this change should actually be a reprieve to private health insurers. There will still be the same number of doctors, of course. The change is that some will have a lot fewer patients, while the many will take up the slack. A new community of doctors will arise who can see the benefits of working with the system. Those doctors who don’t join and continue charging above allowable rates will still be around and this will form a different breed of market, as well. The very wealthy may be fine with it, but the vast majority will opt for the ‘gouge’ protection. As a result, the health insurance industry will have the opportunity of networking with the new community of care providers who have adjusted to ‘acceptable rates’. One dentist may charge $10 to pull a tooth, while another will charge $100 for that same procedure.

Health insurance providers are smart enough to know this and they will become much more selective in who they allow in their ‘networks’. Their opportunities will increase when this new provider community forms. The health insurance industry will no longer be held hostage to forever having to hike their rates to chase after runaway medical costs.

The government plan will not be just a ‘small player’ but will become a formidable force. The Massachusetts Model, referenced by Mr. O, has already proven that private and public health insurance can co-exist well.

Continued…