Dan Gottry - Blog

Dan Gottry's Blog

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Limited Provider Choice Impacts Patients

Susie Ebersbach of POINT Health Centers of America, Inc. has accurately provided excellent input to the short longevity a independent provider could face if this national O&P contracting assault by Linkia is successful.

However, the patient of these services is also negatively effected with the impact of such a consequence and to their future choice of providers.

All patients of comprehensive O&P care should be active participants in their medical care and should contact their health care providers opposing exclusive contracting resourcing.

Every provider should encourage their patients to have open discussions with their health-care providers about the proposal and the severe limitations incurred of national contracting to Linkia and ONE managed healthcare provider network.

Most of you, as independent providers, have formed special alliances,friendships and professional relationships with your patients for years. Inform them of what is occurring here and that if they don't react you may no longer be able to be their provider. Ask them to call their insurer.

Once they are properly informed,that under this scenario, if successful, they may have no longer have access to your professional care and the thrust of this consequence is not only felt by you, but also by them.

Inform them of what is being proposed here. Pressure ACA (who is partially funded with tax payer dollars to represent the needs, to educate,empower on behalf, and to advocate, for all amputees), Multiple Scoliosis, Spina Bifida, and other national associations representing the handicap, what is at risk and to oppose national O&P contracting with ONE primary management network of O&P providers.

Patients also most play a role in their health care future.

Anthony T. Barr
President
Barr Foundation

posted by Daniel Gottry at 2:11 PM