NY Doctors Feel Pressured by Insurer Rules to Alter Patient Treatment: Survey

A new survey indicates physicians in New York State are tailoring patient treatment to fit the rules set by health insurers.

Instead of working to improve the health of their patients, 92 percent of the doctors surveyed say health insurer rules are designed more to increase insurer profits. And 90 percent said they have to change the way they treat patients based on restrictions from an insurance company.

More than 1,200 New York physicians participated in the survey conducted by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY).

Dr. Michael Rosenberg, president of MSSNY, said the survey was done in response to numerous complaints from its members that insurers rules were “preventing them from giving their patients the most appropriate treatment for their patients’ particular health care needs.”  He added that the complaints reflect the sentiments of all doctors across all specialties.

MSSNY said 87 percent of doctors surveyed said they sometimes feel that they are pressured to prescribe treatment that is based on cost rather than what may be best for their patients. Sixty-two percent are concerned that they may be cut out of an insurance network if they don’t follow insurer policies.

MSSNY said physicians’ biggest complaint is insurer involvement in the type of medications prescribed. Ninety-five percent said decisions on medications prescribed should be made by the patient’s personal physician, instead of the insurance plan or the insurance carrier. As a result, 91 percent want to see enforceable legislation to regulate the restrictions insurers can place on physicians regarding treatments they prescribe.