Survey: Only 23% NY Doctors Say They'll Accept ObamaCare Patients

A survey by New York State’s Medical Society found that of 409 doctors queried, only 23 percent say they will accept patients who have enrolled in an ObamaCare health exchange.

The New York Post reported Tuesday that 44 percent of those polled said they will not participate as providers in ObamaCare, while another 33 percent indicated they have yet to decide whether or not to take patients enrolled in the exchanges and become official ObamaCare providers.

“This is so poorly designed that a lot of doctors are afraid to participate,” said Dr. Sam Unterricht, president of the 29,000-member organization. “There’s a lot of resistance. Doctors don’t know what they’re going to get paid.”

Of the doctors who said they are participating in ObamaCare, three out of four of them said they “had to participate” because of existing contractual obligations with an insurer or medical provider, not because they wished to participate.

About 77 percent of those surveyed said they had not been given a fee schedule to show how much they will get paid if they sign up to be an ObamaCare provider.

“ObamaCare wants to start right away, but who see all these new patients???? Not me,” emailed one doctor.

Another doctor sharing an opinion on the survey said, “I plan to retire if this disaster is implemented. This is a train wreck.”

Yet another respondent wrote, “I refuse to participate in the exchange plans! I am completely opposed to this new law.”

One physician commented that he will only take cash patients going forward.

“I am seriously considering opting out of all insurance plans including Medicare because of [ObamaCare],” the doctor said.

Several of the physicians remarked that the pressure on insurance carriers to control costs is leading to rationed care, while others worried that lower payments for medical services by insurers would put some of them out of business and force others into retirement.

“ObamaCare is a disaster. I have already seen denial of medication, denial of referrals,” one doctor said.

Another physician wrote, “Can’t imagine any doctors would be willing to work for so little money? All doctors should boycott.”