"DMV Healthcare"

[williepete]

Health insurance isn't health care. The lights are finally coming on for some.


Obamacare enrollees hit snags at doctor's offices
Many consumers faced hurdles signing up for Covered California health plans. Now they're having trouble finding in-network doctors.
LINK:
Obamacare enrollees hit snags at doctor's offices - latimes.com

Danielle Nelson said Anthem Blue Cross promised half a dozen times that her oncologists would be covered under her new policy. She was diagnosed last year with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and discovered a suspicious lump near her jaw in early January.

But when she went to her oncologist's office, she promptly encountered a bright orange sign saying that Covered California plans are not accepted.

"I'm a complete fan of the Affordable Care Act, but now I can't sleep at night," Nelson said. "I can't imagine this is how President Obama wanted it to happen."


Maria Berumen, a tax preparer in Downey, was uninsured for years because of preexisting conditions. The 53-year-old was thrilled to find coverage for herself and her husband for $148 a month after qualifying for a big government subsidy.

She jumped at the chance in early January to visit a primary-care doctor for long-running numbness in her arm and shoulder as a result of bone spurs on her spine. The doctor referred her to a specialist, and problems ensued. At least four doctors wouldn't accept her health plan — even though the state exchange website and her insurer, Health Net Inc., list them as part of her HMO network.

"It's a phantom network," Berumen said.

 

[Mr. H.]

 

[williepete]

There are several pages of reader comments after this LA Times piece. Many are a hoot.

This one points out the next eye opener for the loyal masses:

ADLoggy at 5:22 AM February 5, 2014
What is left out of this article is how much the deductibles for these people were even if they did find a doctor. Most of these Obamacare policies, even after the government subsidies still have anywhere from $4000 to $9000 deductibles. For the uninformed who voted for Obama that means you have to pay that much out of your own pocket before the insurance pays one penny.

If you qualified for the subsidies you probably don't have the deductible in your bank account. BTW that deductible restarts every year in most cases.