Docs Not Discussing Health Reform with Patients

Whether or not they’re happy with the impending implementation of Obamacare, physicians are dropping the ball when it comes to discussing health care reform with their patients.

Open enrollment is just three months away, but half of patients report that they haven’t spoken with their doctors about health care reform and what it means for care, according to new survey results.

The HealthPocket poll revealed that half of respondents who indicated they have a doctor have not had their doctor comment on the Affordable Care Act. Those whose doctors have mentioned Obamacare were reported that the comments were mostly even between being positive and negative, although they were slightly more negative.

“The coming changes in health care due to health reform will have implications for the doctor-patient discussions,” HealthPocket reported. “For example, the expected increase in 'narrow' health care provider networks will require some patients to ask which new insurance plans will be accepted by their doctors.”

Of the more than 1,000 responses, 25% of consumers reported that they didn’t have a doctor. More than a third of those without a doctor were 18 to 24 years old. According to HealthPocket, that group likely doesn’t have a strong doctor relationship because they are in good health and see health care professionals less often.