ACA HAS LED TO PROLIFERATION OF “NARROW NETWORK” PLANS
Under the front-page headline, “More Insured, But The Choices Are Narrowing,” the New York Times (5/13, A1, Abelson, Subscription Publication) reports that following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, “one thing is becoming clear: No matter what kind of health plan consumers choose, they will find fewer doctors and hospitals in their network – or pay much more for the privilege of going to any provider they want.”
The Times says “these so-called narrow networks, featuring limited groups of providers…are a common feature in many of the plans” offered on the ACA’s exchanges, and, according to the Times, “insurers…are fully embracing the idea, saying narrower networks are essential to controlling costs.” But the Times goes on to note the “concern…that insurers will limit access to specialists or certain hospitals.”
