Re: Linkia/Hanger Contracts May Cost Everyone
Tony Barr
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: Linkia/Hanger Contracts May Cost Everyone
Creator:
Tony Barr
Date:
9/19/2006
Text:
As per Mr. Gottry's recent postbelow, it is my understanding also from
recent communication with some independent providers, is that there does
seem to be select exceptions being made by Cigna to allow other
independents providers to stay in the network but they must contract with
Linkia on a year to year basis so longevity is not quaranteed.
This is a little strange since the location, and the service provider area
does not seem to be an issue when in one of these cases, a Hanger facility
is less than a mile away from the independent provider who was permitted to
remain in the Cigna network.
The exception, in these cases, seem to be made as the result of outcry
directed to Cigna from Cigna patients AND their independent Cigna providers
.
Tony
Anthony T. Barr
President
Barr Foundation
www.oandp.com/barr
www.ErtlReconstruction.com < <URL Redacted>>
_____
From: Daniel Gottry [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>]
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 11:01 AM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Linkia/Hanger Contracts May Cost Everyone
Linkia/Hanger Contract with CIGNA and Others May Cost Everyone
CIGNA, Great-West Healthcare and others are obviously motivated to enter
exclusive contracts with Linkia because of both administrative ease and cost
savings. The payment for these two benefits is made by the patients who
lose options for care . and, as a result, in some cases quality of care.
In the long run, it appears obvious to me that their will be costs paid in
the future by the insurance providers that are not adequately being
considered.
Linkia/Hanger has indicated that they are in discussions with all of the
large regional and national healthcare insurance companies. This should be
a source of concern for all independent providers. If other companies
follow the lead of CIGNA and Great-West, independents will find it
increasingly difficult to maintain their businesses.
The end result, contrary to the goal of the insurers, may be Linkia/Hangers
ability to create a monopoly of O/P services, subsequently allowing them to
control (increasing?) costs. The end goal seems to be for Linkia/Hanger to
become a monopoly . but at what point are they one?
It appears that significant players in the industry, such as ACA, may be
fearful of dealing with this topic because of Hanger's advertising dollars.
However, if they achieve the market share that they appear to desire,
advertising will no longer be of significance to them as they will, for the
most part, be the only game in town. If there is little or no competition,
there is little or no need to advertise.
In my case, the issue is becoming increasingly confusing. The provider
list, prior to sending contract termination letters showed five providers,
other than Hanger, as available options. It was interesting to find that,
in CIGNA's letter in response to my questions as to providers available,
they included one of these, in addition to Hanger . that being McCleve
Orthotics & Prosthetics.
I contacted McCleve to determine if they were either a Hanger facility
(which they quickly responded no) or were a LINKIA contracted agency (to
which they responded who)?
My question is why one of the providers is still included as a CIGNA
provider while all others have been eliminated?
I have posed this question to both CIGNA and Linkia and have not yet
received a response.
In the contract termination letter, my provider was encouraged to contact
Linkia to learn more about opportunities to become a part of that network,
which we all know is a long road leading nowhere.
This issue is one that impacts patients and hundreds of qualified,
independent providers. I encourage both to be a part of bringing this
situation to whose who could make a difference. Patients who feel they are
being negatively impacted (including those who now have to drive 50-70 miles
to see a prosthetist) should contact CIGNA or Great-West and express their
concerns and frustrations.
Providers are encouraged to contact their state's insurance board, their
attorney general, and send communications about their concerns to the
department of justice ( <Email Address Redacted> ).
TO SEE ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS MENTIONED IN THIS COMMUNICATION, PLEASE VISIT
WWW.GOTTRYS.COM/LEGGO/.
----------------
Daniel Gottry
<Email Address Redacted>
480-491-1020
recent communication with some independent providers, is that there does
seem to be select exceptions being made by Cigna to allow other
independents providers to stay in the network but they must contract with
Linkia on a year to year basis so longevity is not quaranteed.
This is a little strange since the location, and the service provider area
does not seem to be an issue when in one of these cases, a Hanger facility
is less than a mile away from the independent provider who was permitted to
remain in the Cigna network.
The exception, in these cases, seem to be made as the result of outcry
directed to Cigna from Cigna patients AND their independent Cigna providers
.
Tony
Anthony T. Barr
President
Barr Foundation
www.oandp.com/barr
www.ErtlReconstruction.com < <URL Redacted>>
_____
From: Daniel Gottry [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>]
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 11:01 AM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Linkia/Hanger Contracts May Cost Everyone
Linkia/Hanger Contract with CIGNA and Others May Cost Everyone
CIGNA, Great-West Healthcare and others are obviously motivated to enter
exclusive contracts with Linkia because of both administrative ease and cost
savings. The payment for these two benefits is made by the patients who
lose options for care . and, as a result, in some cases quality of care.
In the long run, it appears obvious to me that their will be costs paid in
the future by the insurance providers that are not adequately being
considered.
Linkia/Hanger has indicated that they are in discussions with all of the
large regional and national healthcare insurance companies. This should be
a source of concern for all independent providers. If other companies
follow the lead of CIGNA and Great-West, independents will find it
increasingly difficult to maintain their businesses.
The end result, contrary to the goal of the insurers, may be Linkia/Hangers
ability to create a monopoly of O/P services, subsequently allowing them to
control (increasing?) costs. The end goal seems to be for Linkia/Hanger to
become a monopoly . but at what point are they one?
It appears that significant players in the industry, such as ACA, may be
fearful of dealing with this topic because of Hanger's advertising dollars.
However, if they achieve the market share that they appear to desire,
advertising will no longer be of significance to them as they will, for the
most part, be the only game in town. If there is little or no competition,
there is little or no need to advertise.
In my case, the issue is becoming increasingly confusing. The provider
list, prior to sending contract termination letters showed five providers,
other than Hanger, as available options. It was interesting to find that,
in CIGNA's letter in response to my questions as to providers available,
they included one of these, in addition to Hanger . that being McCleve
Orthotics & Prosthetics.
I contacted McCleve to determine if they were either a Hanger facility
(which they quickly responded no) or were a LINKIA contracted agency (to
which they responded who)?
My question is why one of the providers is still included as a CIGNA
provider while all others have been eliminated?
I have posed this question to both CIGNA and Linkia and have not yet
received a response.
In the contract termination letter, my provider was encouraged to contact
Linkia to learn more about opportunities to become a part of that network,
which we all know is a long road leading nowhere.
This issue is one that impacts patients and hundreds of qualified,
independent providers. I encourage both to be a part of bringing this
situation to whose who could make a difference. Patients who feel they are
being negatively impacted (including those who now have to drive 50-70 miles
to see a prosthetist) should contact CIGNA or Great-West and express their
concerns and frustrations.
Providers are encouraged to contact their state's insurance board, their
attorney general, and send communications about their concerns to the
department of justice ( <Email Address Redacted> ).
TO SEE ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS MENTIONED IN THIS COMMUNICATION, PLEASE VISIT
WWW.GOTTRYS.COM/LEGGO/.
----------------
Daniel Gottry
<Email Address Redacted>
480-491-1020
Citation
Tony Barr, “Re: Linkia/Hanger Contracts May Cost Everyone,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/227277.
