(01-01-2015 12:24 PM)dawgitall Wrote:  

(01-01-2015 12:00 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(12-31-2014 03:57 PM)dawgitall Wrote:  

(12-30-2014 10:53 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  [quote='Machiavelli' pid='11604013' dateline='1419997530']
I think Owl is off on his zero sum game comment too. The cost curve is flattening and we are becoming more efficient because of it.

My costs rose Mach. My Doc told me this afternoon that his paperwork has increased and he is being ordered to follow ACA directives that are unnecessary and cost his patients more. How do "mandating" unnecessary procedures and tests make the system efficient?

Doctors, like everyone else hate paper work. They also hate the transition to electronic records. It costs money consumers time and requires learning something new. But in the long run it is much more efficient, saves money, leads to fewer duplication of tests and procedures, allows doctors to make more informed decisions and saves lives. Don't mistake gripping about mundane requirements for an informed condemnation of reform.

The paper work part may indeed in the long run be Ok after the learning curve is breached. I noticed though you had zero to say about the bigger problem...mandating procedures that may not be necessary. What happened to a physician being able to treat patients as they see fit? I thought the ACA was supposed to make HC less

I would need to have more specific information to comment. There is a lot of misinformation out there and I don't want to contribute to that when I'm ignorant to any kind of mandated procedures.

For instance...I have a thyroid condition treated with Synthroid. I have been taking this drug for over 25 years. In the past...I simply got my hormone levels checked every year during my annual checkup and if the Doc needed to adjust my dose he did it then. It only rarely changed ever in just tiny degrees. Now...I have to have it checked every 4 months per ACA guidelines. That is 2 more doctors visits and labs per year.