talking to one of the librarians the other day, who is just recovering from pneumonia, and worried

[niyad]

about his medical bills (having just paid off a huge one due to his wife's illness). I made some remark about the ACA, and he said he was opposed because "it tells doctors and pharmacists how much they can be paid." apart from whatever bs he is listening to here in fundieville, does anybody have any idea to which provisions of the ACA he refers?

thanks in advance.

[Cleita]

1. I believe insurance companies have fee schedules or a maximum

amount that is paid for a visit or procedure. But I believe this is the practice even before the ACA was a twinkle in Obama's eye. So it's not an issue that I can see. Is this what he's talking about.

[djean111]

2. As opposed to insurance companies telling doctors and pharmacists how much they will

pay them - and what medicines may be prescribed and what treatments a patient can get - all predicated on profit.

[Bigmack]

5. ... and CEO salaries... nt

[uppityperson]

3. All insurance companies already do this, have always done this. It is nothing new at all

A provider will bill (example) $175 for a visit, insurance writes off $50, meaning the most they will be paid is $125.

Insurance companies set the rates for what they are billed for. This happened back in the late 70's, I think due to medicare/medicaid overbillings/fraud. They set up specific diagnoses and treatment codes and will pay THEIR set amount for what they are billed for.

[bigbrother05]

7. This is the reason that a doctor asks which insurance you have

they know who they want to deal with and whether they are willing to accept their rates. Most doctors will take other insurance, but expect you to pay them directly then file your own claims.

As said, has been this way for a long time. Often, they'll take a company that pays a little less if they are prompt and efficient in paying. A higher payment that comes a month later can impact their cashflow and requires more attention.

Have found that most doctors like BCBS Federal for those reasons, fair and quick payments.

[former9thward]

4. The ACA has no cost controls on anything.

The only thing approaching that is when insurance companies raise their premiums more than 10% they may be asked to "justify" the increase.

[Locrian]

6. I dont think...

that you will get him to change his view by arguing on point.

My guess (IMHO) is that his general beef will be that: it's interfering with that sacred of sacred entities *the free market* (cue dramatic music, angles, etc, etc).

Never mind that 'the free market' loves profit made from people being sick, does everything in it's power to enforce monopolies, eliminate any regulation, determines what /who is paid (death panels anyone?) and on and on.


Until people get over that fact that what is good for $$ is NOT necessarily good for people (or the planet etc for that matter) then it's like talking to a religious fundamentalist.

[mazzarro]

8. IMHO - he is being consistent in his preferred delusion i.e. his wife and then himself being bilked

Don't bother yourself for the a**hole, since he is for the insurance companies bilking him rather than the government controlling cost somehow - even if entails having some form of fee schedule. He is locked into his Faux Noise brainwash and RW propaganda.

[niyad]

9. thanks to all who responded. pretty much what I figured, just wondered if there was some new

scare phrase (like "death panels&quot the wingnuts were using that I managed to miss.