FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2000
CONTACT: Lori Shoaf or Katie Orrico
(202) 628-2072.
NEUROSURGEONS URGE CONGRESS TO ENACT A MEANINGFUL PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS NOW
Washington, DC - Neurosurgeons across the country report seeing patients who have not been appropriately diagnosed or properly referred for specialty treatment. The result has been needless delays in treatment and patient suffering, and consequently in higher costs to the healthcare system. That's why the two major professional societies for neurosurgeons are calling on Congress to enact a meaningful Patient Bill of rights.
"Insurance companies claim that they are saving costs by denying patients coverage or the right to see a specialist, when in actuality it is costing them more," said Dan Barrow, MD, an Atlanta neurosurgeon who is President of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS). " I have treated many patients who required more aggressive intervention and by the time they were finally allowed to see me, additional health care costs had been incurred."
Stewart Dunsker, MD, a Cincinnati, Ohio based neurosurgeon who is President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), added that, "It is our obligation to fight for patients' right to choose a doctor who will provide the best possible care for them. The AANS is dedicated to supporting access to specialty care and basic rights for the patients we serve."
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons joined the Patient Access Coalition in 1993 to urge Congress to act on the managed care issue, and ensure that patients have access to appropriate care in a timely manner.
This seven-year campaign has successfully resulted in managed care legislation passing both Congressional chambers because the American public has demanded this reform. Congress must respond to the overwhelming majority of citizens who seek reform of the healthcare system to ensure that they will not be arbitrarily denied the care that they need at the time that they need it. For example, the Patient Access Coalition cyber-advocacy campaign has generated over 25,000 emails to Congress this year. The rights patients seek are basic and include the following principles contained in the bipartisan Norwood/Dingell legislation:
-- the right to a "point-of-service" option at the time of enrollment that allows patients the option of receiving care outside the network if the patient pays the additional costs.
-- the right to timely access to a qualified participating specialist with appropriate clinical expertise.
-- access to approved clinical trials for patients with chronic or life-threatening disease.
-- access to emergency room services in a situation where a "prudent layperson" would believe that type of care is necessary.
-- the right to fair and timely internal and external appeals.
-- the right to be provided all information relating to a health plan's benefits and procedures, including all appeals processes, limitations and exclusions.
-- the right to not have treatment decisions influenced by gag clauses or financial incentives imposed by health plans.
-- coverage of all Americans, not just those in employer-sponsored health plans.
The AANS, founded in 1931, and the CNS, founded in 1951, are the two largest scientific and educational associations for neurosurgical professionals in the world. These groups represent approximately 4,800 practicing neurosurgeons in the United States. Active members of the two groups are neurosurgeons who have completed four years of medical school and four to seven years of additional specialized training. Neurosurgery is the surgical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the spine, brain, nervous systems and peripheral nerves.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons Washington Office
725 15th Street
Washington, DC 20005
202-628-2072
FAX 202-628-5264
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