My Cardiologist drops TRICARE Prime
So...after seeing the same cardiologist/surgeon since late March I receive a letter on 3 Jan from Pinehurst Cardiology that they are no longer accepting TRICARE Prime after 1 January 2014. However, They will continue to see me if I pay out of network deductibles and fees. (This is the cardiology clinic Womack sent me to). I have been very pleased with my care but I am not willing to pay the out of network fees etc.
I contacted TRICARE to ask why I was not notified of this from them since I have appointments this and next week with still valid referrals. My answer: They don't do this. It's left to the doctor.
Regardless, I had to go back to my primary care physician who had to contact TRICARE in order to obtain a referral for an in-network provider.
When I asked Pinehurst why they were dropping TRICARE Prime they basically told me they had been under contract with TRICARE for a long time however a provision under "Obamacare" allowed them to get out of the contract. The decision was made solely on profit/loss considerations.
I'm sure there will be a lot of retired TRICARE Prime enrollees in the area unhappy about changing their cardiologists.
__________________
D-3129 Life
"If one day you decide to know yourself...you'll have to choose the warrior path...You'll reach the darkness of your spirit.... Then, if you overcome your fears....You will know who you are."
"De Oppresso Liber"
|