Monterey, CA Physicians Worry They Won't Be Able To Meet The Demand Of New Medi-Cal Patients

View From A Nonprofit Serving Senior Citizens In Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

With millions more Californians eligible for Medi-Cal due to the new health care reform law, there are worries that there won't be enough doctors that take the low-reimbursement rate insurance to serve all of the newly insured.  There are now about 10 million Medi-Cal patients in the state, about 30% of the population, but there has not been a spike in new physicians.  Low reimbursement rates have already caused many doctors to drop out of the program.  O'Connor Hospital in San Jose is up for sale.  It's on the verge of closing because it can't afford to serve the new influx of Medi-Cal patients.  Some are hoping that additional power given to nurse practitioners and physicians assistants will help doctors deal with the new patients.  However, even with this change it's, unclear that the medical community will be able to keep up with the new demand for Medi-Cal doctors in California.

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands to Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors