General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: So let me see if I've got this straight... [View all]mike_c
(36,916 posts)There is only ONE provider in the entire northern part of my county-- where nearly everyone lives-- who accepts Covered California policies. It's the local Open Door Clinic, which ironically treats indigent and otherwise low income patients anyway, which means that they could go there regardless of the ACA. But they're the ONLY provider for exchange policies. The insurance companies set the rates they pay providers at 30%-50% of whatever is normal for their "regular" individual policies, so every other provider here has refused to participate, and turns away patients who have policies purchased via the California Exchange.
All those policy holders have to do to get health care is "upgrade" their coverage to another plan which, not surprisingly, the same insurer will be happy to sell them, at considerable cost.