Comments on: Medicare Meaning Lean

By: symtym

symtym — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 12:04:00 +0000

> best solution for emergency physicians is to drop all contracts with insurers

And don’t we wish we could; however, since we are one of the “RAPE” specialties (radiology, anesthesiology, pathology, and emergency medicine) our hospital contracts are almost always linked to contracting with every and any insurer out there that may be looking for a “break” from the “local hospital.” In theory, it makes sense — in reality, never. Especially, in heavily capitated markets — where competition is severe and it is always based on cost and “discounts.”

By: Aggravated DocSurg

Aggravated DocSurg — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 11:57:00 +0000

Thanks for sorting all that out — it’s important for the average non-physician to know. However, to my mind, the best solution for emergency physicians is to drop all contracts with insurers. You, above any other physicians, have a captive market, and if the insurers want to justify decreasing your reimbursement just because Medicare will, screw ‘em. The patients will continue to need to be seen.

By: symtym

symtym — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:04:00 +0000

> best solution for emergency physicians is to drop all contracts with insurers

And don't we wish we could; however, since we are one of the “RAPE” specialties (radiology, anesthesiology, pathology, and emergency medicine) our hospital contracts are almost always linked to contracting with every and any insurer out there that may be looking for a “break” from the “local hospital.” In theory, it makes sense — in reality, never. Especially, in heavily capitated markets — where competition is severe and it is always based on cost and “discounts.”

By: Aggravated DocSurg

Aggravated DocSurg — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 08:57:00 +0000

Thanks for sorting all that out — it's important for the average non-physician to know. However, to my mind, the best solution for emergency physicians is to drop all contracts with insurers. You, above any other physicians, have a captive market, and if the insurers want to justify decreasing your reimbursement just because Medicare will, screw 'em. The patients will continue to need to be seen.