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The Neighborhood Involvement Program medical clinic (NIP), which has treated uninsured patients in Minneapolis since 1972, is closing because of "an extraordinary financial situation due to the Affordable Care Act," according to a letter sent to the clinic's patients.
Patsy Bartley is N.I.P.'s president and CEO. She cited a few factors forcing the clinic to shut down. One is that drop in clients. Another is that some mandates in the ACA are just too expensive, like a new requirement that all medical records be kept electronically, something the clinic never did to keep costs down. The ACA offers grants to pay for electronic medical records, but under the clinic's current model, it didn't qualify
People are still showing up with their ACA policies because they can't afford the crushing deductibles; rendering the policies worthless.
HIPAA required electronic medical records and they have had a decade to do so with substantial financial help from the government. They said they didn't qualify for it because they say so I guess.
They were there to close the gap the Obamacare takes care of. So those who did not have insurance had care.
HIPAA required electronic medical records and they have had a decade to do so with substantial financial help from the government. They said they didn't qualify for it because they say so I guess.
They were there to close the gap the Obamacare takes care of. So those who did not have insurance had care.
HIPAA doesn't require EMR's, it does have a carrot/stick incentive for adopting them (meaningful use).
IIRC if you use them you get a 2% bonus, if you don't you get a 2% cut from reimbursement.
They had financial problems before the ACA started in January. They were never set up to take health insurance. If they had they might have survived. If they had been set up with insurance and taking Medicare, Medicaid patients they would still be in business. Their base rate of $80 for a doctors appointment isnt a whole lot less than some of the negotiated ACA plans plus
ACA has one wellness checkup a year at no cost. The stories on the clinic dont mention other clinics in the area. For example a nearby clinic thats publicly owned in my town allows anyone to see a doctor on Saturdays at no cost.
They were a cash only clinic that cared for people who didn't have insurance. Now more people have insurance -either through an insurance company or expanded Medicaid. I suspect their patient loss is mainly due to expanded Medicaid. They averaged 4,000 patients/year and are now down to 3,000. 4,000/year is only 16 per day.
They saw a drop in clients because more people have health insurance now. Not sure if the OP missed that point.
Only a right winger would ***** and moan because more people now have health insurance. Ah, for the good old days when millions of people were left out in the cold. Good times.
Only a right winger would ***** and moan because more people now have health insurance. Ah, for the good old days when millions of people were left out in the cold. Good times.
People are still showing up with their ACA policies because they can't afford the crushing deductibles; rendering the policies worthless.
So both you and the clinic are whining that fewer people are going to the free clinic because they have health insurance now and can get better care? That's just really intelligent.
So both you and the clinic are whining that fewer people are going to the free clinic because they have health insurance now and can get better care? That's just really intelligent.
Better? No, just more expensive care.
People with Medicaid go to the ER for sore throats and bug bites as no doctor will see them.
People with ACA insurance can't afford to use it.
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