United HealthCare dropping doctors (not "ObamaCare" related)

[simpsontruckdriver]

In a few areas, United Healthcare is dropping thousands of doctors. As a Medicare Advantage sales agent, if I talked to someone who was in this position, I would HIGHLY encourage them to complain to Medicare. I believe UHC is a 3-star provider. If enough people complain, CMS will drop them to 2 stars. When that happens, anyone who is with them will be granted a Special Election Period, where they will be able to switch to a higher-ranked provider (higher than their lower-ranked provider). As a side note, you can not change from your current provider to a higher-ranked one, only if your provider's ranking is downgraded.

So, if you have an MAPD plan, and you have a complaint, file with MEDICARE.

TS

 

[momeason]

I think in some states, judges put a stay on this. United Healthcare had to keep the doctors while a lawsuit was being decided. doctors and patients are suing. It is unfair to sign up with a large network and then get a small one. The physicians dropped were taken by surprise also.

 

[ace2000]

Unfortunately this is the tip of the iceberg with the new changes...

http://ifawebnews.com/2013/12/02/un...eds-of-doctors-from-medicare-advantage-plans/

Thousands of members nationwide lose coverage as Affordable Care Act cuts plan payments

 

[Ken555]

Unfortunately this is the tip of the iceberg with the new changes...

http://ifawebnews.com/2013/12/02/un...eds-of-doctors-from-medicare-advantage-plans/

Thousands of members nationwide lose coverage as Affordable Care Act cuts plan payments

That article also says:

The Affordable Care Act phases in reductions in government payments to Medicare Advantage plans – $156 billion over 10 years – to bring the program into line with the costs of caring for seniors in traditional Medicare.
Medicare officials review the private plans every year to make sure they comply with network adequacy and other requirements, but the agency did not approve the reconfigured networks resulting from the new provider cancelations. Spokesman Raymond Thorn said the agency “is currently reviewing UHC and other plans’ provider networks and closely monitoring all areas that have experienced disruptions to ensure that beneficiaries have full, transparent and timely information and access to needed care.”