Kevin Knauss: Health, History, Travel, Insurance
Posts related to discrimination either with a health insurance plan or provider denying health care services.
When the baker decides to expand his business into the public market, he must abide by the rules of the road. He must get a business license. He must have his facilities inspected for cleanliness. He must not have discriminatory policies toward customers. The baker is no longer in a private market, but one that is regulated by the government for the benefit of the public.
Since the beginning of Covered California, many individuals and families have complained that some doctors refuse to accept health insurance purchased through Covered California. Most health insurance companies have stated that contracted network doctors can’t refuse to see Covered California members. However, Blue Shield of California seems to have changed their position on doctors refusing service. They are now stating, as of November 7th, that doctors can discriminate against individuals and families who have Covered California plans.
Both the health plans and the doctors practice subtle and overt forms of discrimination against people with Covered California health insurance. Some of the discrimination is legally built into the health plans. Other discrimination takes place in the form of denying health care services because the prospective patient has a Covered California health plan.
I will happily attend any public enrollment event and assist anyone applying either for Medi-Cal or a health plan with or without premium assistance. However, hence forth, I will not attend any event where Certified Agents are allowed to discriminate against people based on their income and Medi-Cal eligibility. Further, if anyone is refused assistance from an agent because they might be Medi-Cal, please do us all a favor and report that agent to Covered California. Income discrimination practiced by Certified Agents needs to stop.
If you like a Facebook page for a political candidate maybe you’ll get special prices for products whose manufacturers openly support the same candidate. That would certainly be a new spin on buying votes.
