It happens every couple of years. A Physicians Group’s contract with a large insurance carrier is coming up for renewal. How wrong is it for a Health Physicians group to SCARE Seniors who depend on their services? It would seem like it’s just a type of corporate blackmail to me.
Yes, contracts come up for renewal and yes, they must negotiate a new contract. But is there any real need to scare the Elderly? This fall one of D/FW’s Largest Health Physicians Groups sent out a letter to all the enrollees in one of the largest Medicare Advantage carriers in our area. This letter notified them of the contract running out at the end of June 2024 at which time they would not be able to use any of this group’s Hospitals, Doctors, Specialists, Outpatient Facilities, etc. The letter also includes an internet link to keep up with the negotiations, but it does not work.
The letter goes on to remind them of the Medicare Annual Enrollment period encouraging them to change to another Medicare Advantage plan. This causes a lot of unnecessary fear and stress for these seniors. It also puts pressure on the insurance carrier to finish the negotiations. I have no doubt the Medical Group and the insurance carrier will come to a mutually agreeable contract agreement.
But do we need to scare these seniors half to death?
Photo by Ron Lach
