Could it be the over the top number of patient complaints? I've heard the whispering......... just sayin

Medicare Plan F
 

Just get the Medicare "F" Plan whether it is UHC or Blue Cross or whomever you can go to ANY doctor and not be pushed around by the system. I know it cost a little bit more but it is so worth it in the short and long run. Wise to not shortcut when it comes to your health.

I doubt it. He has been my doctor for years and is a very honest and professional business man/doctor.

Thanks for the update Tejas.
I had a melanoma removed a year ago, no recurrence.
Good luck to you.

Well my niece is 60 and hates the system for the reasons I have given and would disagree with you.. I have talked to Canadians who maintain dual citizenship and live here and they would disagree. I have talked to Canadian seniors that crossed the border to the US because the wait time for the surgery was many, many months. It might work for you, but it doesn't work for everyone.

Supplemental plans are not affected, only advantage plans.

The practice has taken on several other doctors, mostly younger. It is not the same practice it was just a few years ago. Jury still out until these younger doctors gain some experience.

Gracie, you are one of the honest ones. No one really understands why UHC chose 39 other dermatologists in our region and Casper was dropped.there has to be a reason but Casper is just not disclosing it. Unless he does I think it is disingenuous of him to request his patients to intercede for him without having this information which could be related to the quality of care. This whole thing sounds rather fishy but as we talked through this, I am no longer disappointed that I will be seeing a different dermatologist. If I was permitted back I would always be wondering if the surgery he is recommending was even necessary. I certainly am not signing any petition for a doctor that did Not even give me the courtesy of a letter or a phone call informing me that my Plan was no longer acceptable at his practice. Good luck to all.

Agree. How can anyone sign a petition not knowing what they’re advocating by signing or contact one of the parties on the website without facts? That’s crazy.

Jack, where did you find the listing of the other 39 dermatologists? When I google, I only get a few. One would think there would be a number of them at the new Brownwood Professional but there’s only one listed and he’s not taking new patients.

Sheesh! The letter is posted on the front page of the Alliant Dermatology website: Alliant Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center

I'm beginning to think that there are most posts in this thread than there are patients affected by the UHC decision.

Mike. That isn't the letter TO Alliant telling them why they were terminated. It is the letter asking for support.

I think. It does not stay up on the screen very long and may switch(?).

[QUOTE=Villageswimmer;1552626]Agree. How can anyone sign a petition not knowing what they’re advocating by signing or contact one of the parties on the website without facts? That’s crazy.

Jack, where did you find the listing of the other 39 dermatologists? When I google, I only get a few. One would think there would be a number of them at the new Brownwood Professional but there’s only one listed and he’s not taking new patients.


[/https://connect.werally.com/search/providers/32162/page-1?coverageType=medical&pf=t&sort=distance&specialt y=66&lat=28.9341&long=-81.9599&propFlow=true

[QUOTE=villagerjack;1552693]I'm wondering if it would be easier to find one by having your pcp referring you??!!

[QUOTE=villagerjack;1552693]

Go to MYuhc.com, Medicare plans, zip code 32162, Sumter County, dermatologists and there are 41 of whic 2 are Alliant. You can also go to the Medicare Stire and they will print out a list. Good Luck.

Here is link but not sure you can get in.

[/https://connect.werally.com/search/providers/32162/page-1?coverageType=medical&pf=t&sort=distance&specialt y=66&lat=28.9341&long=-81.9599&propFlow=true

[QUOTE=NotGolfer;1552694]Could be but I was trying to answer your question. Point is why are these 39 Dermatologists remaining and why was Casper dropped? He really knows why but he is not telling his patients. I Think that is a serious flaw. Asking patients to sign petitions and contact their Congressman without telling his patients why he was dropped appears very disengenious.

The letter explaining why Casper was dropped from UHC while 39 other Dermatologists are preferred by UHC is NOT on his website. Your outrage appears misplaced.

Thank you, Jack. That wasn’t my post wrt asking pcp. We all know that’s an option—not always the best one. But one. Sorry for straying off topic.

Wow—bad day? Many, many folks are affected by this and if this is the only way for them to find out about it, let the thread continue.

As a 70 year old Floridian I abused my skin by sitting in the sun at the beach without protection for many years. We used baby oil and iodine for a great tan! Now I'm paying the price. I've been faithfully having annual dermotology appointments for forty years. I've been a patient of Dr Casper for five years. I have found him to be very thorough and competent....... my opinion. He has not suggested any surgeries. Just a few biopsies that were benign. I consider myself very fortunate so far. I've scoured the internet for reasons why a doctor would be dropped from the advantage plan. Time magazine had an article saying there are some shortcomings in the quality of providers in some Advantage networks. Only 40% of their networks include top quality cancer centers. I also read that doctors are not given a reason when they are dropped. It's very common. Please check out some of the articles online before assuming there is something "wrong" with Dr Casper. It may be just the opposite.

Why should any patient have our “scour the internet” to see why other doctors may be dropped?. Patients are not concerned about a response from a reporter, particularly from a failed publication like Time Magazine. Casper's patients want to know why Their doctor was dropped and 39 other dermatologists in our area were not dropped. Do you know why?

I just went to Dr Bolton, also saw Dr. Casper in the past. UHC seems to be dictating who can be in plan even more. They are great dermatologists, very sad. They will probably leave the Villages. Recently I wanted to change my ‘Village’ doctor. Not even in the UHC plan yet do to not being quite 65 yet. I had to be interviewed as to why and approved. I am going totally out of the Village Health Plan, not willing to let someone dictate my doctors. Scary!

Were you told that by an Alliant doctor or are you guessing? My point is, where would they move? UHC has the largest national market share of advantage plans. Alliant couldn't accept AARP (UHC) Advantage patients anywhere.

My friends are quite happy with the Canadian healthcare system, however you are absolutely right.
That doesn't mean that it works for everyone.
You obviously have more input from unhappy users of the system than I do.
I've been lucky to have good doctors and good specialists; and I've always been able to access surgery in a timely manner.
But this thread isn't about socialized medicine, it's about Dr. Casper.

I had to chime in, sorry. Ironically, more than 80% of Villagers enjoy socialized medicine. Lol


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You got that right!

If/when the actual truth comes out, I believe it will basically come down to UHC...simply trying to increase their bottom line.


Follow the $$$. :ho:

Here is what I know. Insurance companies offer physicians a contract for a certain fixed price on claims. My guess (and it is only a guess)is that Dr Casper is not willing to accept a lower pay schedule for services and consequently they no longer have a contract. I use Dr Casper and hate to lose his practice.
I doubt UHC ‘dropped” Alliant. I doubt Alliant quit UHC. I see this as a matter of contract negotiations and we, the patients who have UHC Advantage, are being used as pawns to negotiate the contract.

The loss of Alliant’s six dermatology providers to UHC subscribers is significant particularly since there are very few dermatology providers in TV. Where will all these patients go? Or will many drop UHC/AARP Medicare Advantage, causing a mass exodus from The Villages Health System? Surely TVHS could intercede if only to ensure their own survival. Seems like UHC holds all the cards. I really feel bad for these young doctors and their staff facing such upheaval and uncertainty.

Could it be that UHC is trying to cut their costs, because they've already lost numerous customers...due to their previous actions?

If so, it sure seems pretty dumb to me to make up for one bad/detrimental decision...by making another. :oops:

It's analogous to golf in that if you take a risky shot that doesn't work out or made a bad decision in course management, the last thing you want to do...is to follow it right up with another. :ohdear:

The UHC web site lists 40 dermatologists besides the ones from Alliant in network for Advantage members. Most are within the Villages itself.

Dr.Casper is an excellent doctor. I hope people will do what they can to keep him and Alliant in UHC.

I really like Dr. Casper. I don't think that we can do anything about whether an insurance company will contract with him or not. It isn't supposed to be a popularity contest.

When you chose the Advantage plan, you get what you pay for.

I called UH on Wednesday to complain about losing Dr. Casper. They said they don't drop doctors, doctors drop them.

I had an appointment with Dr. Casper yesterday and told him what UH had said. He told me that was not true and that the letter shows they are dropping him.

He is working hard to get this reversed and needs all the help we can give him.

Very interesting.

Someone is obviously lying through their teeth...and it's not Dr. Casper. :ohdear:

Maybe not. I think we are not understanding what happened. If someone gets a hard copy of the letter please post it. There is no letter on Alliant's site from the insurance company to Alliant, only a letter from Alliant to patients.

Now very curious.

I think you might be right. UHC wanted bigger piece of the pie and seems dr. In question wouldn't sign the contract. So, basically he was bullied out of UHC/VHC IMO of course.

No it's money contest. IMO UHC Wants bigger piece of his pie.

Just got a letter from UHC saying that Dr.Casper is not going to be an in-network provider as of Sept 1. But it says that if you are already under his care for a continuing condition you may be able to use him as a in-network provider anyhow. You got to check with UHC first though and check to see if you qualify for this and get an exception. We just go for an annual checkup so we won't be able to use him any more.