They scarcely have time to see patients who are ill. Of great concern is the fact that many primary care physicians are worried about loosing their diagnostic skills. Patients with cancer need access to competent providers in order to recognize, diagnose, and receive appropriate treatments on a timely basis. Although managed care mania has subsided in those parts of the country where it began, the damages to the health care system are still apparent. Patient confidence in managed care has evaporated, and many managed care companies are frantically attempting to change their image.
Premiums are on the rise again, and providers are beginning to see improvements in reimbursements.
Controlling costs by limiting access does not serve the patient with cancer and is a major roadblock to quality cancer care. Let's hope the lessons learned from managed care can lead us back down the road to open access and quality cancer care with sensible attention to cost. All Rights Reserved.