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Why can’t I use my local doctors and SVH?

Editor, Index-Tribune:

    

  I’m wondering what’s happening with our health-care insurance plans in Sonoma. Those of us on United Healthcare AARP MedicareComplete, from SecureHorizons, have received a letter stating our health insurance plan will be terminated on Dec. 31, 2011. We are advised to choose another plan.

  In researching the new plans, we find United Healthcare offers a new Plan 1 and a Plan 2 in Sonoma, both of which appear to be decent plans. But, after attending a meeting with a health-care insurance broker, we find that none of our local doctors will be accepting these plans.

  The plans are good, the rate is good, but no local doctor? It looks like the local doctors will be accepting Anthem Blue Cross?

  The explanation given us has something to do with the doctors contracting with Sutter Health Care, while my primary doctor, and apparently many of our local doctors and Marin IPA, have opted not to contract with Sutter.

  My primary doctor said if she does contract with Sutter, she would not be able to send me to Sonoma Valley Hospital if it were necessary, but must send me to Sutter in Santa Rosa.??

  There were about a dozen people at the meeting I attended and I am sure there are hundreds of people in the Valley who have received the same letter from United Healthcare. The broker said he is receiving many phone calls about this major change. So, it looks like my only choice is to change my health-care insurer if I want to continue with my local doctors.

  Some of the people at the meeting were talking about changing back to Kaiser. I feel this change will have a major impact on our local hospital. I would like to know why our local doctors have to make a decision whether or not to contract with Sutter Health Care.

  Is this a result of Obamacare?

  We were promised if we were content with our present health insurance, we would not have to change. What has happened to being able to choose the health-care provider that suits me best and use our local doctors and Sonoma Valley Hospital???

  Janice Lehne

Sonoma