I do fully expect we will see one effect from the new health care law in the next few weeks. Mainly a rush on appointments. Anyone could predict this, it's logical.
First, it is an annual ritual that health care slows to a crawl over the holidays every year. Then, immediately after the holidays, there is a rapid ramp up as people scramble for care which they have ignored or neglected for several months.
Combine that with the fact that many people who have been without insurance for a long time will now be seeking appointments.
That's the reason I was sure to set my appointment before Jan 1st. Call for an appointment before the 1st and you have a 2 week wait. Wait until Jan 2nd and the wait will be much longer.
I will state this effect is not nearly as drastic as it would have been, if not for changes to the ACA in the past couple of months. Some people have fought to keep their catastrophic only coverage and won. Then there was a one year extension given to require some employers to provide coverage. Then there are the people who waited until the last minute to get coverage, so their policies are not yet in full effect.
The net result is a more gradual phase-in to coverage than there would have been. By the time one wave of new insured has gotten over the first appointments and establishing themselves with offices, the next wave will be starting. Then there will be a lull until the beginning of next year and a smaller wave will begin.
The fear many have had is 6 month waiting lists for doctor appointments. I don't see that happening, except in places that have near that already.
What I do expect to see is an increase in the number of urgent care clinics nationwide. This will happen as a result of people who use ER's for routine and minor care and because insurance and the government will do what they should have done for decades- refuse to pay for ER visits for non-emergency care. I also expect to see existing urgent care clinics start keeping hours which are more amenable to the general public. The medical field has been nothing short of arrogant for nearly a century. Time to come down to earth.
First, it is an annual ritual that health care slows to a crawl over the holidays every year. Then, immediately after the holidays, there is a rapid ramp up as people scramble for care which they have ignored or neglected for several months.
Combine that with the fact that many people who have been without insurance for a long time will now be seeking appointments.
That's the reason I was sure to set my appointment before Jan 1st. Call for an appointment before the 1st and you have a 2 week wait. Wait until Jan 2nd and the wait will be much longer.
I will state this effect is not nearly as drastic as it would have been, if not for changes to the ACA in the past couple of months. Some people have fought to keep their catastrophic only coverage and won. Then there was a one year extension given to require some employers to provide coverage. Then there are the people who waited until the last minute to get coverage, so their policies are not yet in full effect.
The net result is a more gradual phase-in to coverage than there would have been. By the time one wave of new insured has gotten over the first appointments and establishing themselves with offices, the next wave will be starting. Then there will be a lull until the beginning of next year and a smaller wave will begin.
The fear many have had is 6 month waiting lists for doctor appointments. I don't see that happening, except in places that have near that already.
What I do expect to see is an increase in the number of urgent care clinics nationwide. This will happen as a result of people who use ER's for routine and minor care and because insurance and the government will do what they should have done for decades- refuse to pay for ER visits for non-emergency care. I also expect to see existing urgent care clinics start keeping hours which are more amenable to the general public. The medical field has been nothing short of arrogant for nearly a century. Time to come down to earth.
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