Paying less than $16 per hour not fair: Aetna CEO
Jim Fenton
Description
Collection
Title:
Paying less than $16 per hour not fair: Aetna CEO
Creator:
Jim Fenton
Date:
1/21/2015
Text:
Good Morning List Serve:
I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN (CNBC):
Paying less than $16 per hour not fair: Aetna CEO
< <URL Redacted>> <URL Redacted>
Below is my response. I would encourage others to join with me and express
your thoughts.
I read your article today and I need to call out Aetna's CEO and Chairman,
Mark Bertolini. He is quoted: Aetna raised employees' wages to a base of
$16 per hour because paying them less was not fair.
Mr. Bertolini, as accomplished as he is, needs to look a little farther than
the end of his nose. His corporation, along with other large health insurers
is paying on average, approximately FORTY PERCENT of what Medicare allows
for Durable Medical Equipment and Orthotics and Prosthetics
services/equipment. His corporation believes, along with other insurers that
all orthotic and prosthetic devices are in stock and can be dispensed by
clerks and therefore, there is no need to pay more.
Many of the Aetna allowables do not pay enough for the
Orthotist/Prosthetist to purchase the device itself; never mind the overhead
to keep the doors open. If you find this hard to believe, call several Aetna
in-network providers of orthotics/prosthetics devices and try to get an
appointment to be fitted with a Name Brand ACL knee brace. Hint: that device
costs the provider approximately $200.00 more than Aetna reimburses. To
provide a Cervical Halo for a cervical fracture, the short fall
approximately $500.00. I could continue, but I think you get the idea.
Mr. Bertolini is Blowing Smoke .. .... ...! (Touting Aetna as the real nice
guy in health care.) I don't begrudge his employees a penny of the
$16.00/hour but there are also thousands of health care providers who also
feel that paying us less is not fair.
Orthotists/Prosthetists are by and large Board Certified and in many states
required to be Licensed by The State to be able to practice. The licenses
typically require a Baccalaurate or Masters Degree along with a residency
for each discipline one wishes to practice. Aetna knows this and yet has
elected to pay their employees more while continuing to ride on the backs of
the health care providers who provide for their insured.
R. James Fenton, LPO
********************
To unsubscribe, send a message to: <Email Address Redacted> with
the words UNSUB OANDP-L in the body of the
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If you have a problem unsubscribing,or have other
questions, send e-mail to the moderator
Paul E. Prusakowski,CPO at <Email Address Redacted>
OANDP-L is a forum for the discussion of topics
related to Orthotics and Prosthetics.
Public commercial postings are forbidden. Responses to inquiries
should not be sent to the entire oandp-l list. Professional credentials
or affiliations should be used in all communications.
I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN (CNBC):
Paying less than $16 per hour not fair: Aetna CEO
< <URL Redacted>> <URL Redacted>
Below is my response. I would encourage others to join with me and express
your thoughts.
I read your article today and I need to call out Aetna's CEO and Chairman,
Mark Bertolini. He is quoted: Aetna raised employees' wages to a base of
$16 per hour because paying them less was not fair.
Mr. Bertolini, as accomplished as he is, needs to look a little farther than
the end of his nose. His corporation, along with other large health insurers
is paying on average, approximately FORTY PERCENT of what Medicare allows
for Durable Medical Equipment and Orthotics and Prosthetics
services/equipment. His corporation believes, along with other insurers that
all orthotic and prosthetic devices are in stock and can be dispensed by
clerks and therefore, there is no need to pay more.
Many of the Aetna allowables do not pay enough for the
Orthotist/Prosthetist to purchase the device itself; never mind the overhead
to keep the doors open. If you find this hard to believe, call several Aetna
in-network providers of orthotics/prosthetics devices and try to get an
appointment to be fitted with a Name Brand ACL knee brace. Hint: that device
costs the provider approximately $200.00 more than Aetna reimburses. To
provide a Cervical Halo for a cervical fracture, the short fall
approximately $500.00. I could continue, but I think you get the idea.
Mr. Bertolini is Blowing Smoke .. .... ...! (Touting Aetna as the real nice
guy in health care.) I don't begrudge his employees a penny of the
$16.00/hour but there are also thousands of health care providers who also
feel that paying us less is not fair.
Orthotists/Prosthetists are by and large Board Certified and in many states
required to be Licensed by The State to be able to practice. The licenses
typically require a Baccalaurate or Masters Degree along with a residency
for each discipline one wishes to practice. Aetna knows this and yet has
elected to pay their employees more while continuing to ride on the backs of
the health care providers who provide for their insured.
R. James Fenton, LPO
********************
To unsubscribe, send a message to: <Email Address Redacted> with
the words UNSUB OANDP-L in the body of the
message.
If you have a problem unsubscribing,or have other
questions, send e-mail to the moderator
Paul E. Prusakowski,CPO at <Email Address Redacted>
OANDP-L is a forum for the discussion of topics
related to Orthotics and Prosthetics.
Public commercial postings are forbidden. Responses to inquiries
should not be sent to the entire oandp-l list. Professional credentials
or affiliations should be used in all communications.
Citation
Jim Fenton, “Paying less than $16 per hour not fair: Aetna CEO,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 27, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/237028.
