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Nationwide Survey Shows Doctors May Not Accept ACA

Nationwide Survey Shows Doctors May Not Accept ACA

Buyers May be Shocked at Narrow Network of Doctors Available to Them
 

(Washington, D.C.) – As Americans evaluate and purchase health insurance – as required by the Affordable Care Act (also called the ACA or Obamacare) – they are learning more about the impact that the President's health care law is having on the healthcare industry. A national survey of more than 1,000 medical groups – representing more than 47,000 doctors nationwide – raises serious concern about how many doctors may choose not to offer care under policies purchased through the ACA exchanges. The survey was conducted in September by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). According to the MGMA's findings, fewer than thirty percent of practices currently plan to participate with new insurance plans sold through the exchanges. Fifty-five percent say they expect the law to have an "unfavorable" or "very unfavorable" impact on their practice. Many cite concerns about regulations, low reimbursement rates, and high deductibles. Pluralities say that reimbursement rates appear to be lower than under current insurance policies, and equal to Medicaid. These troubling findings highlight how little medical professionals know about the impact of the law, along with the ramifications that the limited choices will have on patient care.

Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative released the following statement:

"The roll out of the President's health law has seen major problems. The federal website hasn't worked, and the Obama Administration has acknowledged that there are significant design flaws. Americans are dealing with rate shock as new mandates force health insurance costs even higher. Add to that the slew of negative economic impacts such as lost hours for workers whose employers are hit by costly ACA requirements and you've got a recipe for disaster.

What many Americans are not yet fully aware of is access shock. In order to keep premiums from skyrocketing under ACA requirements, insurance policies sold on the exchanges often offer narrow networks, which may not allow patients to continue care with certain doctors or hospitals. This survey suggests that problem may be worse than was realized, as many medical practices are not even sure they will accept ACA-purchased insurance. It is unfair to impose a legal mandate on Americans to buy a product – especially when they still do not really know what they are paying for."

For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact:  Judy Pino, 202-578-6424 or Brian Faughnan, 571-257-3309, 571-257-3309.