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Super Contributor
Posts: 353
Registered: ‎12-30-2011

I just received a letter from my primary care physician informing me that she is changing her practice to a CASH ONLY PRACTICE. She is opting out of all commercial PPO insurances but still accepting Medicare. She states that there are many reasons, one being that she wants to get back to a smaller size practice where she can spend more time with her patients. She says that, like other practices, she is having difficulties recruiting a new provider to our area.

I have called four other primary care practices and clinics and none of them are accepting new patients. All of them say there are too many patients and all of them are trying to recruit doctors to our area. I live in a fairly small rural community and we didn't have many choices to begin with. I did find one clinic that will accept me as a new patient, but the receptionist said there is a 3 to 4 month wait just to get in.

I have been hearing on the news that this would happen with our new health care system and it is. I have always had insurance and a doctor so I never thought I would be stuck without a doctor--let alone one that I can choose. What happened to "If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor"? I know I am not the only person to have this problem but I AM NOT HAPPY with my lack of choice now-- considering how much money my husband pays for our health insurance (Blue Shield).

Anyone else have similar experiences?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,491
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: OT- My doctor is dumping me

But you can keep your doctor. You pay cash and you are reimbursed the out of network rates.

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# IAMTEAMWEN
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,204
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: OT- My doctor is dumping me

Ahh, a bash ACA thread.

Super Contributor
Posts: 353
Registered: ‎12-30-2011

Re: OT- My doctor is dumping me

On 3/26/2015 VaBelle35 said:

But you can keep your doctor. You pay cash and you are reimbursed the out of network rates.


Which would be more than what I would pay with a PPO. We already pay over $1600 a month for insurance through my husband's union and you can't opt out.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,153
Registered: ‎05-22-2012

Re: OT- My doctor is dumping me

You can keep your doctor on your health plan, your doctor decided not to keep you.

Did you ask her for her cash-only prices? Many doctors who do cash-only also offer reduced prices. Have you called your insurance company to get a recommendation from them? My insurance company has a website that lists all doctors that accept my insurance and whether they accept new patients.

I live in a city, so I'm lucky enough to have a lot of options. I've been through 4 different healthcare plans in the last 15 years (job changes) and had kept all the same doctors (primary care, 0B/GYN, specialists) throughout. Recently I changed because I moved from one end of town to the other. My doctors are all in a linked system, so even though I changed my doctors, the new doctors all had my healthcare and insurance records in their linked system. The system also operates several after-hours and urgent care clinic, so I have access to doctors after work and on weekends and they also all have access to my medical records and can see what I was last treated for and what medications I'm on.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,243
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: OT- My doctor is dumping me

I have a cash only dentist. I still get reimbursed by my insurance. It's just that I pay and then get a check from the insurance company. The insurance pays for everything they would if the dentist did accept insurance.

My doctor does try to operate at a more personal level like what you describe for your primary care physician. However, they aren't doing cash only. They did drop 2 insurance plans from their practice. I know United Healthcare was one because the reimbursements were so low. But I would think the major costs would be labs, etc. and wouldn't those still be covered without paying upfront?

From my standpoint, I like it. I don't want to go to a doctor with an office that operates like a factory.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 205
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: OT- My doctor is dumping me

Wow! Totally sad situation, I'm sorry. I would get on the waiting list with the one that will take new patients, and in the meantime, if I needed care and the 'waiting list' one could not get me in, I would pay to see the 'Cash Only' one. This has not happened to me, yet.
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Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,570
Registered: ‎06-13-2012

Re: OT- My doctor is dumping me

I've had alot of changes with my insurance and doctors since the "change". I pay way more and get way less. And now, even though I have a PPO, I can no longer go to the specialists I usually do unless I get a referral from my primary, even though I've been being treated for those issues for years now. And now the doctors charge me for every little thing done during the visit so I pay a higher co-pay for the appt and then everything they do they break down into separate charges so they can get even more money out of me. It has gotten beyond ridiculous. We certainly have not been able to keep the insurance we had. Oh yes, by name it is the same but name only.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,153
Registered: ‎05-22-2012

Re: OT- My doctor is dumping me

On 3/26/2015 1978christian said:
On 3/26/2015 VaBelle35 said:

But you can keep your doctor. You pay cash and you are reimbursed the out of network rates.


Which would be more than what I would pay with a PPO. We already pay over $1600 a month for insurance through my husband's union and you can't opt out.

Wow... that's your real problem. Why can't you opt out? You could probably get a cheaper plan through the ACA. My insurance is through my company and my annual cost is $572.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,713
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: OT- My doctor is dumping me

On 3/26/2015 traveler said:

Ahh, a bash ACA thread.

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