ObamaCare: How Will Less Doctors Help More Patients?
It probably won’t come as surprise that there is a shortage of doctors, but with the Affordable Care Act going into full effect January 1, 2014, doctors may be pushed to the limit. The patients will either be enrolled in the newly expanded Medicaid, Catastrophic plans, or Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans.
How Doctors are Planning for ObamaCare
Because of the shortage doctors are hiring physician assistants. According to CBS News, Christopher Timm, president of Metro Immediate, said, “Because there’s such a shortage of physicians, and this many people are becoming part of the insured population that the (physician’s assistant) is going to be their primary mode of contact.”
Medicaid Patients May Be the Sickest
Patients that are newly receiving health care may not have taken care of health issues before. It is expected that Medicaid patients will have higher occurrences of undiagnosed hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic problems than patients that are currently seeking healthcare. This can make a doctors job more difficult, as these patients will require more attention and time. According to CBS News, Dr. Brigit Britton says,“They may be more difficult to manage to begin with, and to get their chronic conditions under control, but as we go forward, they’re going to be easier - less hospital visits, less hospital stays, more savings, so it’s going to be easier for us.”
Money is a Big Concern for Doctors
With doctors’ offices having to increase their staff, there is concern that payment from the new ACA plans and Medicaid will not sufficiently cover costs. This could also mean, less time with each patient, as doctors are trying to fit more people in.
We’ll have to wait and see how all of this pans out after the New Year. For any questions about subsidies or the ACA plans call 800-930-7956 or contact Medicoverage.
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