As open enrollment for 2015 exchange plans gets underway, the American Medical Association (AMA) urges patients to review the plans they are considering in order to prevent interruptions in care and higher out-of-pocket costs. Whether it’s a new plan or a renewal, patients should consider deductibles, co-pays, drug costs, which physicians and facilities are covered, and the cost of out-of-network treatment. Patients should ask whether their physicians are participating in plans they are considering. AMA President Robert Wah, MD said, “It is very important that patients look beyond the big print, color-coded plan designations and price of insurance plans and check the small print details before making their selection.” AMA asks patients to consider the following:
1) Are your family’s doctors in the plan? If not, what will you have to pay out-of-pocket for office visits or other services your doctor prescribes? Is the plan’s directory of participating physicians up-to-date and accurate? Are there physicians on the list who are still accepting new patients?
2) What does the plan cover? What percentage of your health care costs will you have to cover? If so, how much and can you afford it? How much will you have to pay out of pocket for the medicines your family needs? Will you be able to use hospitals, labs and other facilities that are convenient to where you live or work? Does the plan provide access to a sufficient number of specialists that you need?
3) Does your primary care physician have to get permission from the insurance company to refer you to a specialist? Does that rule include specialists you see regularly for a chronic condition? Does the insurer use penalties or incentives to induce physicians in the plan to limit referrals in any way?
For more information, visit www.ama-assn.org.
