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Article: Despite cuts, Aetna pays state's doctors well: Facts and figures
- Article from:
- Charleston Gazette
- Article date:
- May 7, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1999 Charleston Gazette. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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STAFF WRITER
Even after Aetna U.S. Healthcare cut payments to Kanawha Valley
doctors last month, those doctors still make more for most
procedures
than their counterparts in other areas.
"Historically, rates for physicians in West Virginia have been
significantly higher," said Aetna spokeswoman Wendy Sue Morphew.
"I'm not sure why it's that way, but it is."
At least 74 local doctors have cut ties with Aetna since the
insurance giant announced that it would cut payments to doctors.
That's more than one-third of the local doctors who used to accept
Aetna-covered patients.
Aetna used to pay about 180 percent of the federal Medicare
reimbursement rate. They now pay about 130 percent.
Even with ...