Doctors group waging war with Anthem

Imagine you're a member of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield -- the state's largest commercial health insurer -- and no local doctor will accept you as a new patient.

[WellPoint sux]

Good for these docs. Wellpoint continues to raise fees and captures more and more profit. If they're going to bilk us, the insured, in rates, then they better reimburse the physicians appropriately. It's too expensive to be a doctor anymore, and why should the insurance companies get rich while the insured and the physicians get punished.

[retired]

Anthem is GREEDY! The top 7 execs. are paid millions and their wages come from the policy holders that can barely afford the premiums!

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[bonjovifan357]

I am sick of these insurance companies trying to tell MY doctor what is best for me.The best health care is between the doctor and patient. Those greedy insurance companies are just as bad as the greedy OIL companies.

[Susie]

This is just wonderful. Both (immature) sides are playing a game of Russian roulette with the lives of hard-working Indiana citizens. Whatever either side claims, it boils down to money. Isn't anybody else disgusted by their tactics?

[Frustrated]

I sure am disgusted with their tactics. We are at the mercy of both--doctors and insurance companies. Without good drs. our health is in jeopardy...without Anthem being accepted by drs. I am in a "Mess". ISTA recommends Anthem for retired tachers. Wellpoint IS the dominant insurance company no doubt, and they are aware of their chance to "take it or leave it" attitude towards the drs. Their Medicare Plan D is one that does not give the recipients any breaks either. I did not choose them this year for my meds.

[whatever]

I wish more facilities would hold a stand against not only Anthem but other health insurance companies that think they are medically trained to tell the person who is paying the premium how sick they can or cannot be in order to get services paid for and how long a person can stay in the hospital. I pay way too much for insurance considering I see my doctor once a year and my dentist twice a year. Somebody or somebodies are making the money and living large off of it!

[Anthem Sucks]

My husband and I recently received a letter from our doctor advising us that he will no longer accept Anthem. He cited various reasons, but the one that rang loudest was the fact that Anthem tries to "play doctor" instead of allowing the physicians, in conjunction with the patients, to make decisions appropriate for an individual's unique health care situation.

Those with Anthem insurance... we're "just an account number" on which Anthem seeks to pay the absolute minimum possible -- regardless of the decisions suitability. It is my impression Anthem would prefer to have us die rather than pay our legitimate and valid claims. The ONLY thing truly concerning them is their "bottom line" ... keeping their upper tier executives wealthy and their shareholders happy.

This situation is becoming more widespread. Yes, Anthem is indeed building a "reputation" for itself.

[Katie]

I have two choices for medical insurance coverage through work and BOTH policies are administered by Anthem.

I am damn sick and tired of having to plan my life around greedy insurance companies!

[i wonder]

vote for universal healthcare..put an end to this maddness perpetrated by the health insurance companies and not-for-profit(much) hospitals.

As a senior citizens I just cant keep up anymore, but that is what the insurance companies hope. It is to their benefit if I die sooner than later....sad state of affairs

[AHN Patient]

Go AHN go! It is about time someone stood up to Anthem.

[Laura]

The insurance industry's lack of willingness/ability to regulate themselves is exactly why we are headed for socalized healthcare...or maybe they know that.

If you think corruption is rampant now, wait until we don't have any choices in the matter except to pay more taxes to fund a broken system....

[Concerned Premium Payer]

Insurance premiums continue to rise, year on year, no matter the "experience" of insurance payout to medical providers. It's simple, insurance gets Dr's. to lower costs, under the guise of better health practices for patients, save a $, give the Dr's a dime and benefit 90 cents. They leverage both ends of the equation against each other with insurance in the middle benefiting!

[anonymous]

Susie wrote:

This is just wonderful. Both (immature) sides are playing a game of Russian roulette with the lives of hard-working Indiana citizens. Whatever either side claims, it boils down to money. Isn't anybody else disgusted by their tactics?

Doctors have put up with this because they care about their patients. But when you are starting to have difficulty as a doctor paying your rent and give your office employees a decent wage increase and health insurance you have to fight.

[doublehook]

When you read about the anthem profit margins, the bonuses paid over a inflated salary and patient complaints - it makes you question the ability of your physicians decision making process when attached to a plan such as AHN.

[Indpls Resident]

Anthem is the only choice for State employees. There are no other options.

[greyhound]

Insurance companies are a racket. How is it is reasonable that a business exec tells doctors what to charge. I would love to see what Anthem's CEO makes compared to the doctors in this group make on average.....I bet the CEO doubles the MD's average pay (if not more). I hate to say it, but socialized medicine might be the way to go.

[Its About Time]

Glad to see some doctors standing up to this insurance company!!!
The only thing more aggravating than dealing with Anthem is dealing with Medco.

[Warranted]

Indpls Resident wrote:

Anthem is the only choice for State employees. There are no other options.

Yes, you can choose Anthem, Anthem, or Anthem and they are making a ton of money on the Trad 2 plan just from the employees. The other plans' deductibles are so high, unless you are young and/or extremely healthy you had better think twice about picking an HDP. Isn't it wonderful that there are so many choices for health care?

[Hillary Care DC]

Katie wrote:

I have two choices for medical insurance coverage through work and BOTH policies are administered by Anthem.
I am damn sick and tired of having to plan my life around greedy insurance companies!

Hello if
you think it's BAD now wait till the
witch HILLARY gets a hold of your nationalized Health Care plan......
MD are very educated, SELF EMPLOYED
professionals who are NOT going to
TOLD to work for NOTHING........

[JustMe]

Insurance is a crock. It always has been.
You pay your premiums. Premiums increase every year. Co-Pays increase every year. Coverage DECREASES every year. Necessary medical treatment is denied because *they* don't deem it necessary, despite what the doctor says.

If an ordinary citizen were to do this to people, they'd go to trial and most likely get convicted.

I'm a photographer. I think I'll raise my rates for wedding pictures. Oh, and I'll take fewer shots, too. And when you come to pick up your pictures, I won't give you any (even though you paid for them) because I don't really think you need them. Sorry!

That is exactly what insurance companies get away with on a daily basis.