Increased patient volume concerns doctors, lawmakers

Emergency room visits, reimbursement hassles also discussed.

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By Ben Sutherly, Staff Writer 10:53 PM Thursday, May 14, 2009

In the past year, patient volume in the emergency department at the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton has swelled by about a third. The loss of private insurance amid a worsening economy seems to be the largest single contributor to higher patient volumes, the head of Dayton Children’s emergency department said.

Dr. Douglas Prince also told about 50 physicians and state legislators Thursday, May 14, that cutting Medicaid reimbursement would only aggravate that trend.

“I’ve never seen such a dramatic increase in patients” in 33 years of practicing medicine, he said after the Miami Valley Legislative Forum on Health Care, sponsored by the Ohio State Medical Association and the Montgomery County Medical Society at MCMS, 40 S. Perry St.

And divorce creates fertile ground for abuse and misrepresentation in the state’s Medicaid system, doctors said, with one parent of a minor on Medicaid often declining to acknowledge the other parent has private insurance, complicating or sometimes preventing proper reimbursement. At Dayton Children’s, perhaps 5 percent or more of patients come from families with dual insurance, Prince said.

Family doctors also complained of the difficulties and onerous bureaucracy involved in trying to get fair reimbursement from private insurance companies and the government.

Mutual respect between insurance companies and doctors is needed, said Rep. Clayton Luckie (D-Dayton).

The news wasn’t all negative for doctors. Ohio medical malpractice insurance rates for the top five insurers have fallen 22 percent in the past four years after more than doubling between 2001 and 2005. That drop coincides with a 34 percent decline in medical liability lawsuits between 2005 and 2007 following sweeping changes to Ohio’s personal-injury lawsuit system.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7457 or bsutherly@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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where in the constitution does it say that the government will provide health care for all? where in the constitution does it say the government has to provide helath care for illegal aliens? I am tired of paying taxes to pay for you useless sponges and your welfare kiddies to get free medical care. I would love to cut you freeloaders off with your welfare single moms and their little crack babies. stop spending my money like there is no tomorrow.

Barry
12:09 PM, 5/15/2009

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In addition to my2cents comment, I also work at an area hospital, and we have been having to cut our hours by 10% per pay period. So, fewer hours to work equals less pay to take home, and co-workers having to spread even thinner when one of us is not there. Also, this affects patient care in these departments!!

3rd cent
12:00 PM, 5/15/2009

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No health insurance means trying to stay healthy so you don't have to go to the doctor. Unfortunately things don't always go the way you want. You ignore a symptom that escalates into a life threatening situation. Too rich for medicaid, too poor for private insurance, too young for Medicare, you end up bankrupt. Government involved in our medical care isn't a perfect solution but if it would be perfect it would cost more.

jjr
10:00 AM, 5/15/2009

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Socialized medicine does not work. Ask just anyone who has lived in Europe or Canada. Folks who have money in Canada come here for surgery...yep it's “free” (everyone pays higher taxes for it to be “free”) and they come here to pay. Because they can’t suffer the pain for 18+ months with a hip that needs replaced. Those with insurance can't go to the doctor when they have a cold because they have to save the $20 co pay to pay for the uninsured who go to the ER for EVERYTHING.

Learn From Others.
9:57 AM, 5/15/2009

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There is too much abuse of the Emergency Room system at Childrens. At times I had to take my son there for a broken bone, there were so many ppl there with kids who only had a cold, or a fever...hardly an emergency. But the ER was filled with them!

jkj
9:32 AM, 5/15/2009

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