Insurer drops ACMC from exchange; employer-provided plans unaffected
Those with employer-provided insurance will not be affected.
ACMC officials reportedly could not reach an agreement with Medical Mutual on reimbursements for ACMC doctors, according to
The majority of ACA exchange customers' plans are through Medical Mutual, the largest health insurer in the state, he said. Many have been receiving letters this week informing them of the change, and Heinbaugh said his office phones are ringing relentlessly.
"Coming into 2018, there's going to be less choice of doctors and hospitals -- the least amount ever that you can go to -- limited networks, HMOs and less choice," Heinbaugh said.
Though ACMC for years participated in Medical Mutual's "Super Med" product -- which offers a broad provider network -- it recently passed on a new, narrower
That HMO is now the insurer's only option, however.
"We were under the impression that the Super Med product would still be available to patients. Unfortunately, we learned just last week that the (Super Med) product was being discontinued and that only the narrow network product would be available," he said in the statement.
"We commend (Medical Mutual) for remaining in the exchange when so many others have left. But, based on our analysis, it appears that there are more cost-effective health plans on the exchange that include ACMC and allow patients to remain in
ACMC officials did not provide more information about those plans Wednesday.
Heinbaugh said the federal exchange website Healthcare.gov now lists three available insurers for
Patients have until
According to a letter sent to Medical Mutual ACA customers, the insurer's new HMO will be accepted at all University Hospitals locations -- including UH Geneva, UH Conneaut and the
"There's no hopes of getting the
Another patient -- whose specialists are all with the
Another single woman living in
"Whatever you do choose will be highly limited in the number of doctors and hospitals you could (visit)," Heinbaugh said. "Most importantly, the price increases have not been even remotely favorable."
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