On the national news the past couple of days

[BeerManNOLA]

Ok, so in watching the national news the past two days, I've noticed a trend that I'd like to point out. There were two stories that aired, one each day. The first one was about how your Doctor shouldn't be testing you for as many things as they are, like certain kinds of cancer, as it's causing more problems than it's worth and running up costs in the healthcare system. The second day and story was about how you shouldn't be taking as many pills as you are. Both stories basically said that you should be doing less than you are now for your health.

Generally I'm not a tin foil hat wearer, but this certainly seemed to be preparing people for less involvement and less frequency with their healthcare. Even my wife noticed this exact theme, and that sort of thing is not her style to notice as I'm usually the one to see trends in things.

(Cue the tin foil hat)
I think the news is starting to run stories to get us prepared for Obamacare and what they will and won't pay for, and what kind of response you're likely going to get when you ask for some things.

Has anyone else noticed this kind of stuff or do I need to start investing in Reynold's Wrap stocks?

 

[Bayoupiper]

We're being nudged into the Obamacare mindset.





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[SpeedRacer]

I can look at it either way. Even though Obamacare is not the solution, the health care industry is indeed royally screwed up and in need of reform. I don't know anything about the first story, but I wholeheartedly agree Americans take too many prescribed medications while the industry makes huge profits off of it. The number of people on pain and mood stabalizing meds is a good example.

 

[BeerManNOLA]

The report wasn't just about the pills issue, there was another feel to it also. It's hard to describe, but it seemed to have almost a bias, but not quite. That's what threw me off about it.

 

[Just A Number]

Remember health insurance is not health care...at least it used to not be. O-care has successfully conflated the two and we're in for a wide ride.

 

[jms]

In the fine print ,so I been told , the sick,elderly and unproductive will be in serious trouble . Sound anything like Hitler and Stalin ?

BTW; If you decide you want your dads unfired shotgun ,Still holding it for you in same condition at same price .

 

[senseiturtle]

I agree. The media is trying to prepare you for less coverage. However, this is one of those dangerous "half-truths".
Yes, we (doctors) screen and scan too much. (Mostly out of fear of lawsuits)
Yes, we (doctors) overprescribe medications. (Mostly out of laziness. There is also a fear of combating patient expectation, i.e. antibiotics for every cold/flu.)
Yes, we (doctors) order too many tests to rule out the "zebras" when we're dealing with "horses."

However... some of these supposed cut-backs come from refined tests and further statistical data.

Example - PSA screenings... Repeated studies have found that screening PSA's for early prostate cancer does NOT show a clinical usefulness in preventing cancer problems and deaths. Therefore, it's been advised that physicians do not screen randomly, but use common sense and clinical judgement.

Another example - Pap smear technology has taken huge steps, particularly with thinprep. Combine that with HPV testing, there's an ACOG recommendation that if certain criteria are met (Age >35, married, HPV (-), multiple negative paps) to actually extend pap smear testing to every 5 years. It's not that we're trying to save money, there's just no point in repeatedly testing these women.

Breast cancer is another topic they've tried this, in terms of going with less screening, but I cannot support that position.


......

In the end.
1) Obamacare is going to SUCK.
2) Get a PCP. Work out a cash situation and get catastrophe-only insurance. Even though the penalty might be cheaper in some situations, you dont' want to get stuck with a massive hospital bill.
3) Thank your local moron for voting for Obama.
4) I don't think the old, poor, sick, elderly will see any difference. Once you're on the disability/medicare gravy train, you're set. I've got tons of people strolling through my office on varying levels of "disability" on an almost weekly basis, whereas if I needed medical care, I'd be SCREWED to the tune of hundreds of dollars per clinic visit.

 

[CEHollier]

I am in health care for now. I am also diversifying our business so if things turn out badly we will get out or go cash only. I know several physical therapy practices in Colorado that are cash only. They are doing great. My personal thoughts are there will be the public system which will be long lines and mediocre care. And private pay which will be fast personalized care and services. Remember: Good sh*t ain't cheap. And cheap sh*t ain't good.

 

[SVTFreak]

My personal thoughts are there will be the public system which will be long lines and mediocre care.

Like the DMV.

 

[LACamper]

Everyone talks about death panels, limited care, etc parts of obamacare. The important part long term is that doctor's pay is going to be cut. Dem's want doctors to make under 100K by far. Eventually they'll be just another government employee. Now, who is going to suffer through 8+ years of difficult schooling to do that? Were going to have a doctor shortage. Which is part of the plan. We're going to be treated by nurse practitioners. Which again is already starting. Last week I requested med records (I'm an ins agent) on someone from a NP. She was being treated for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a former heart attack, and diabetes. With those conditions I'd be wanting to see specialists, not a NP!

 

[Btl_Rkt_Sci]

In the end.
1) Obamacare is going to SUCK.
2) Get a PCP. Work out a cash situation and get catastrophe-only insurance. Even though the penalty might be cheaper in some situations, you dont' want to get stuck with a massive hospital bill.
3) Thank your local moron for voting for Obama.
4) I don't think the old, poor, sick, elderly will see any difference. Once you're on the disability/medicare gravy train, you're set. I've got tons of people strolling through my office on varying levels of "disability" on an almost weekly basis, whereas if I needed medical care, I'd be SCREWED to the tune of hundreds of dollars per clinic visit.

Would you even recommend this for a young family of four? We probably see the PCP once a month between the two kids and make ER visits a couple times a year (young mommy syndrome), covered by an ER copay. I only ask because I have no idea what kind of cash rates PCPs offer. As I'm sure you know, health plan premiums increase asymtotically as your family grows and (usually) after you have the first child it ceases to increase despite more costs to the provider. Also, would PCPs who work under large hospital systems (Our Lady of the Lake, Ochsner, etc..) have trouble arranging cash rates on account of the oversight?