May 31, 2011 After 6 years of delivering my quality care to you, Hill Physicians has decided not to renew my contract. The stated reason is that they do not need any more solo physicians in the Berkeley area. Thank you to all those who wrote letters of support to the medical group. This action is part of a national trend by many insurers, not just Hill Physicians, to exclude solo practitioners from their panels of doctors. Insurers believe that this will be more efficient for them (read: stabilize their profits) at a time of great upheaval in the delivery of medical care. There is no data to support the idea that solo physicians are "less efficient." Eventually, this trend may make it difficult for you to see a solo physician at all. Already across the nation, just as is happening locally, physicians have been leaving private practice for groups. If you value the privilege of seeing and being treated by your own doctor, be aware of this trend. WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? |
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| Andrea Mendelssohn, MD, FACOG Obstetrics & Gynecology |