Wait what??? In the middle of the year? They should at least wait till Jan first to give people the opportunity to change providers during open season

Anonymous wrote:Does this include every provider affiliated with Hopkins? Like my breast surgeon?

It sounds like it.

I got the same notice.

We have BCBS through my husbands job. I am a breast cancer survivor and all my surgeries were covered, including plastic surgery, which paid my plastic surgeon a LOT, esp. as compared to my breast surgeon who removed the cancer.

Carefirst is often used synonymously with BCBS. But, I think they really mean BCBS.

Here is the notice, cut and pasted

Dear Patient or Guardian,
Because you are a patient at Johns Hopkins Medicine, your health is our highest priority. That is why we need to let you know that your Johns Hopkins doctors, nurses and caregivers may have to leave the CareFirst network as soon as December 5, 2022. As a result, CareFirst may cover less, or none, of the care you receive at Johns Hopkins starting on December 5, 2022, leaving you to pay more to see your doctors, nurses and caregivers. This letter provides more information about this possible change and what you should do.

Why is this happening?

What CareFirst pays Johns Hopkins’ doctors, nurses and other caregivers has not kept up with inflation. In fact, what CareFirst pays for care is lower than what most other area insurance companies pay. It is very hard for Johns Hopkins, or any health care system, to provide world-class care at the rates we are currently paid by CareFirst.

What do patients need to know?

We don’t want any of our patients to lose insurance coverage for their care, and we are doing everything we can to reach a fair agreement with CareFirst before the December deadline. While we negotiate to stay in the CareFirst network, we want to make sure that we answer all of your questions and provide you with the resources you need.

• For additional details about these potential changes to CareFirst’s coverage and answers to common questions, please look at the frequently asked questions (FAQs) that accompany this letter. You can also visit Hopkinsmedicine.org/CareFirstCoverage for the latest information on this topic.

• If you want to speak to someone to understand whether these potential changes to CareFirst’s coverage could impact you, we have set up a special call center at 443-997-0549. The call center will be open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. You can also contact CareFirst directly at the customer service number located on the back of your CareFirst health insurance card.

We don’t want anything to come between you and the caregivers you rely on. Our hope is that your Johns Hopkins doctors and nurses can stay in the CareFirst network, and that there is no impact on the cost of care you receive.


Sincerely,

Theodore L. DeWeese, M.D.
Interim Dean of the Medical Faculty
CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Kevin W. Sowers, M.S.N., R.N., F.A.A.N.
President, Johns Hopkins Health System
EVP, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Anonymous wrote:does this include the federal plans?

that is a huge cross section in this area with the federal government being a significant employer and hopkins being a significant provider.

You would think they wouldn't want to drop all federal workers from being clients.

OP, I agree with you about the American health care system, but could you please post the (nonidentifying) content of the email so we can see the specifics?

Anonymous wrote:does this include the federal plans?

that is a huge cross section in this area with the federal government being a significant employer and hopkins being a significant provider.

Yes, it will affect Fed workers.

does this include the federal plans?

that is a huge cross section in this area with the federal government being a significant employer and hopkins being a significant provider.

That's frustrating.

Insurance is a hot mess and it's expensive.

Agree! And insurance is a terrible value add in general. Doctors hate it and it’s such a pain to document for their dumb requirements taking time away from patient care

Literally could not agree with you more. What a disgrace.

Anonymous wrote:It's only a specific one, isn't it? There are lots of different Carefirsts.

I got the email today stating that Hopkins is dropping CareFirst. That's it.

I have CareFirst through BCBS. I don't know if there are other CareFirsts, nor will I pretend like I understand any differences between any if there are multiple ones. I don't care about that. All I care about is that it looks like I received this message because Hopkins is going to drop my insurance.

What is the friggin point of paying money for this trash if all insurance companies are going to do is take my money and make it difficult to access care.

So sick of US healthcare.

Does this include every provider affiliated with Hopkins? Like my breast surgeon?

It's only a specific one, isn't it? There are lots of different Carefirsts.

I completely agree! Tell your HR about this and see if your company will change insurance providers. Or if you are a gov employee, change providers during open enrollment.


America has the crappiest health care system!

Hopkins is dropping CareFirst stating that it simply doesn't pay enough money for services rendered and due to inflation.

I cannot stand this country anymore. I pay money for healthcare, now it looks like I can't even use it for where I go. I pay money for dental insurance, and so many dentists that are close to where I live won't even take it. I pay money for eye care ..... Stupid move on my part. So many eye doctors close by won't even take it.

WTF is the point of insurance anymore if it won't cover anything and/or no one takes it?

Now comes the fun part of either a) fully paying out of pocket for care at Hopkins in you like your doc there, of b) going through the giant pain in the ass of trying to find a decent PCP who will still take your insurance and who is actually still taking in new patients.

I'm so sick of health 'care' in this country. It is an epic disaster. Insurance alone is enough to make you want to leave altogether.