LAST WEEK: IS UNITED HEALTHCARE, PIEDMONT HEALTHCARE STALEMATE AFFECTING YOU?
When United Healthcare and Piedmont Healthcare failed to reach new contract terms by June 30, it left thousands of metro Atlantans unable to use 1,400 Piedmont doctors or five Piedmont-affiliated hospitals without paying much higher out-of-network costs. Each company blames the other for the stalemate, but meanwhile their subscribers and patients are left hanging. It remains to be seen whether a compromise can still be reached or if individuals will have to choose between switching insurance companies or switching doctors.
We asked readers to tell us how they have been affected.
Here’s what some had to say:
I had open heart surgery in February at Piedmont [and] had a severe complication that will require a second surgery to repair the damage. However, it cannot be done at Piedmont as I cannot afford paying out of pocket. Consequently, I have switched my care to Emory right in the middle of a rather complex medical condition. What a nightmare this has been. — Jim Wildermuth
Understand Piedmont wants a 30 percent [fee increase] over three years and that would raise premiums and cut into UHC's profit. Meanwhile I have to find new doctors and travel three times as far for medical attention. I am paying premiums and paying [the] price. Guess we are not profitable for either side on this issue. — Ricky Jones
UHC's CEO says he regrets entering Obamacare, but he made $66 million last year and can probably afford his deductibles. Piedmont is ready to throw all 150,000 of us under the bus for the almighty dollar? So I either find all new doctors or let my health wait for them to kiss and make up while we all dangle out here? Their behavior is insulting and disgusting. Sign me "Beyond Livid." — Kelley McManaman
Another wrinkle in this whole mess is that it occurred at the point when many patients have just met their deductible; if they move to a new insurance company they have to start paying that deductible again. The only way around this unconscionable situation is to cut the insurance companies loose, and go to single-payer [coverage]. — Bill Riall
I was scheduled for an endoscopy the first part of July and had to cancel the procedure due to the contract negotiations not being resolved. Several weeks ago I had to go to St. Joseph's ER (instead of Piedmont's) with a heart condition so my insurance would be accepted. I feel cheated and very disappointed that halfway through the year I am told I must change doctors and hospitals to keep from paying much higher out-of-network costs. — Ruth Laws
— Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Although the DeKalb County school system rejected a proposal to approve tax incentives for developers of the former General Motors site in Doraville, plans are moving forward to redevelope the abandonded site. The Doraville Downtown Development Authority voted recently to award incentives worth 35 percent of the site’s annual property tax bill for the next 30 years.
Those tax breaks cut into the school system’s current and future tax revenue. And school system leaders have gone on record saying they don’t want to commit educational resources to a business prospect.
But economic development officials say the project will bring thousands of jobs and help reshape the city of Doraville for the benefit of the public. The plans call for a MARTA concourse that will increase ridership and an influx of residential units, developers said.
Supporters of the project say they hope the school system and the county will come to a mutually acceptable agreement which may generate additional site development funds.
What do you think? Is offering tax incentives a good way to attract a much-needed development project that will ultimately be a wise investment into the future? Or will that plan divert funds away from educating children who are also an investment into the future? Send comments to communitynews@ajc.com.
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