The answer is YES. Insurance companies are flocking to the ObamaCare exchanges as they now see it as a money-making opportunity.
In 10 states, there are 27 new insurance companies that will offer ObamaCare plans. This is a significant improvement from 2014. Major insurers simply cannot afford to sit on the sidelines when 8 million Americans signed up for ObamaCare.
What does that mean for patients?
More choices in where they can get their healthcare.
In the past, patients got referrals from their primary care doctors or their local hospitals. They often just went to the closest physician or hospital. OR the doctor who was referred to them. Patients did very little research in selecting their doctor or hospital.
With more insurance options, patients will have more choices. Additionally, patients are getting more tools to research their doctors to determine which one is best for them.
With healthcare reform, doctors and other healthcare providers must “win” the patient and “keep them.” As a patient, make sure your healthcare provider is offering the following:
- Great customer service
- Convenient evening and weekend hours
- Availability for questions via new forms of technology
- A patient portal where patients can get information about their care; and
- Compliance with current laws and regulations!
If your doctor doesn’t meet your standards, it’s never too late to find another provider who will better suit your needs.
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Healthcare has changed radically. Gone are the days when the only medical professional a patient saw was their trusted local doctor. MyHealthSpin’s Easy Healthcare: Healthcare Privacy walks you through the practical steps you can take to safeguard your healthcare privacy as a patient.
