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Could this be the start of the end to Medicare Advantage or at least some major changes? A new trend is for major medical groups to re-evaluate their taking Medicare Advantage patients. Scripps Health is canceling their contract due to low pay and prior authorizations. They will continue to be enrolled with their IPA and in traditional Medicare. They were losing $70 million per year in their contract. This follows Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida and Scottsdale, Arizona leaving Medicare Advantage. Samaritan Health in Corvallis, Oregon has also ended its contract. Cameron, Missouri's Regional Medical Center has cancelled one contract and will cancel the remaining two next year. At least four others are following suit. Top
A study found that Californians are spending much more time waiting in the ER waiting room than prior. This continues to grow much faster than the nation's wait times. This is due to an increase in patient visits over the past year. The visits were artificially depressed over the past few years due to Covid but are now back and rising. Another important reason is the hospitals are not keeping up with their staffing needs. Yet another potenial reason is the people buying OCare insurance and not being able to find a physician to care for them.
Costco will offer its members virtual medical vists for $29 and mental health visits for $79. Payment is direct and not through insurance.
Larry Butler has obtained executive jobs at several organizations but has got these jobs by falsifying resume information. He was recently hired by Pennsylvania Hospital as senior director of facilities. He claimed he was working at a California hospital for the past 8 years but was actually in prison for 5 years after being convicted of defrauding a cancer center. He resigned from that job. Shows how well hospitals check resumes. Top
Finally a major physician group is looking to split from the terrible American Board of Internal Medicine. The cardiovascular associations are now applying for their own Board of Cardiovascular medicine. Great!!! As a great last post here is the retirement of Dr. Richard Baron, the 10 year dictator of the ABIM. Maybe now there can be some freedom for those physicians. Top
DISCLAIMER: Although this article is updated periodically, it reflects the author's point of view at the time of publication. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Readers should consult with their own legal counsel before acting on any of the information presented.