Central Machine Works
Health Care Scares
RECEIVED Tue., Oct. 10, 2023
Dear Editor,
I agree with Dr. Nancy Binford MD (Oct. 06, 2023) [“Opinion: Patients Shouldn't Be Charged More by Hospital-Owned Practices than Physician-Owned Practices”] on health care turning into monopolies and increasing prices. Last year I was talked into having another Medicare Advantage plan, really wanted regular Medicare A&B but couldn’t afford that then so switched to an advantage plan that claimed I would have free primary care doctor visits and a specialist $5 cheaper than my advantage plan that year, at least that is what I thought. I chose a family care doctor from the site. When I actually went for an appointment for my new “primary care doctor appointment” I was asked for $40. I asked why? Isn’t my primary care doctor free? I was told “This company does not consider her a ‘primary care’ doctor.” I felt fooled again! How can insurance and the health care corporation not agree on who is primary care provider? I am a registered nurse and feel sorry for folks not in health care having to deal with this messy system of health care in the US.
I agree with Dr. Nancy Binford MD (Oct. 06, 2023) [“Opinion: Patients Shouldn't Be Charged More by Hospital-Owned Practices than Physician-Owned Practices”] on health care turning into monopolies and increasing prices. Last year I was talked into having another Medicare Advantage plan, really wanted regular Medicare A&B but couldn’t afford that then so switched to an advantage plan that claimed I would have free primary care doctor visits and a specialist $5 cheaper than my advantage plan that year, at least that is what I thought. I chose a family care doctor from the site. When I actually went for an appointment for my new “primary care doctor appointment” I was asked for $40. I asked why? Isn’t my primary care doctor free? I was told “This company does not consider her a ‘primary care’ doctor.” I felt fooled again! How can insurance and the health care corporation not agree on who is primary care provider? I am a registered nurse and feel sorry for folks not in health care having to deal with this messy system of health care in the US.
Irene A. Muzet BSN RN CPN