Optum / UHC

[Sushirolls]

I had been loosely following the historic attempts of Optum (UHC) to acquire ChangeHealthcare. It was potentially blocked by feds, took to court, and even hospital associations were against it. <--fact check these observations

Fast forward, the deal was permitted to go through.

The lateral expansion of Optum/UHC is a threat to the entire healthcare industry. They now already employ the most physicians of all healthcare entities. More than Kaiser, more than the VA, more than HCA.

We are barreling towards a single payer system, one way or another.

Now is the time buy UHC stock if you haven't already. They can't be stopped, and the "no surprises bill/ACT" was beautiful wrapped gift to UHC and other insurance companies.

Get ready everyone, what will be your corporate pieces of flair?

I've done my part by dropping UHC as an in network company, but that's nothing. Not even a registered blip on the statistical significance of their spreadsheets.

<Insert more doom here>

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[Fan_of_Meehl]

I had been loosely following the historic attempts of Optum (UHC) to acquire ChangeHealthcare. It was potentially blocked by feds, took to court, and even hospital associations were against it. <--fact check these observations

Fast forward, the deal was permitted to go through.

The lateral expansion of Optum/UHC is a threat to the entire healthcare industry. They now already employ the most physicians of all healthcare entities. More than Kaiser, more than the VA, more than HCA.

We are barreling towards a single payer system, one way or another.

Now is the time buy UHC stock if you haven't already. They can't be stopped, and the "no surprises bill/ACT" was beautiful wrapped gift to UHC and other insurance companies.

Get ready everyone, what will be your corporate pieces of flair?

I've done my part by dropping UHC as an in network company, but that's nothing. Not even a registered blip on the statistical significance of their spreadsheets.

<Insert more doom here>

I, for one, plan to "set...the building...on...fire..."

Have you seen my red Swingline stapler?

 

[watto]

I was in a car once that drove past their headquarters and I actually shouted an obscenity or two out the window at them, shaking my fist. They probably have it on video and have sent me more prior authorizations as punishment.

 

[nexus73]

I for one welcome our new corporate masters …er overlords…I mean leaders.

Seriously, how do people best survive in the corporate wasteland? Business politics, being reduced to a line on a budget, smart people with psychopathic traits running the show. Is there a survival guide?

 

[Fan_of_Meehl]

I for one welcome our new corporate masters …er overlords…I mean leaders.

Seriously, how do people best survive in the corporate wasteland? Business politics, being reduced to a line on a budget, smart people with psychopathic traits running the show. Is there a survival guide?

The Holy Bible - King James Version

 

[nexus73]

The Holy Bible - King James Version

Do you mean like Old Testament? Fire and brimstone, vengeful God sections?

 

[Fan_of_Meehl]

Do you mean like Old Testament? Fire and brimstone, vengeful God sections?

Nah...just in a spiritual defense against 'evil' sort of way. Goes well with holy water, garlic, crucifix and three wooden stakes + large mallet kind of way.

 

[the5thelement]

 

[allantois]

They are the highest payor around here

 

[Sushirolls]

Worst in my territory.
Worst for interactions for my staff to call over issues.
Worst for not paying on certain codes that others readily do.

 

[Sushirolls]

I for one welcome our new corporate masters …er overlords…I mean leaders.

Seriously, how do people best survive in the corporate wasteland? Business politics, being reduced to a line on a budget, smart people with psychopathic traits running the show. Is there a survival guide?

Currently, I think the best survival guide is have a modicum of therapy skills, aim for cash only, and service a small panel of ~100 pts by being heavy on therapy side. Do tiny office with, small overhead.

 

[finalpsychyear]

Currently, I think the best survival guide is have a modicum of therapy skills, aim for cash only, and service a small panel of ~100 pts by being heavy on therapy side. Do tiny office with, small overhead.

Agree. However, I am not liking the landscape of where things are at from just 5 years ago in healthcare. As an added protection, I am doing more work as a contractor than I would have liked to be at least for the next 5-7 yrs but 2030 ideally. My EM friends are already not happy with what happened and is happening to their pay due to mid levels. They truly felt they were going to have a much longer run than where things were 5 years ago and friends are saying they didn't take advantage of while the going was good and sort of took it for granted thinking that it would stay that way for a few more years. I don't love working 50-55 clinical hours a week and if i had a crystal ball for the next 10 years showing where i could coast i would love to do that.

Not big into doom and gloom but I sleep better at night with my current schedule. Let's be honest the idea of no nights, wknds, calls, or holidays is a luxury for many of us. Not advising anyone to burnout you need to find the amount you can tolerate.

 

[allantois]

Currently, I think the best survival guide is have a modicum of therapy skills, aim for cash only, and service a small panel of ~100 pts by being heavy on therapy side. Do tiny office with, small overhead.

Can you imagine if every psychiatrist did this? Not only is it a F u to the poor and uninsured; it's also a F u to the middle class and insured

 

[Sushirolls]

So?

I can imagine it, and I think the long term changes would be a net positive for Psychiatrists, and patients, and just maybe ...maybe ... even the health system as a whole.

It's not our burden to shoulder the ills of society, policy, etc. We are only responsible for the patient before us that we take on and establish the doctor /patient relationship.

 

[psychmd03]

Agree. However, I am not liking the landscape of where things are at from just 5 years ago in healthcare. As an added protection, I am doing more work as a contractor than I would have liked to be at least for the next 5-7 yrs but 2030 ideally. My EM friends are already not happy with what happened and is happening to their pay due to mid levels. They truly felt they were going to have a much longer run than where things were 5 years ago and friends are saying they didn't take advantage of while the going was good and sort of took it for granted thinking that it would stay that way for a few more years. I don't love working 50-55 clinical hours a week and if i had a crystal ball for the next 10 years showing where i could coast i would love to do that.

Not big into doom and gloom but I sleep better at night with my current schedule. Let's be honest the idea of no nights, wknds, calls, or holidays is a luxury for many of us. Not advising anyone to burnout you need to find the amount you can tolerate.

This is what I’m doing. Working a lot way more than most but I want to make my nest egg and grow as rapidly as possible for the next few years so that when things go south I can choose to work or drastically slow down and jump into a VA and get the benefits and healthcare for life. But I do not have a positive outlook on the future of doing well as a doctor and the enjoyment will be leeched out.

 

[finalpsychyear]

This is what I’m doing. Working a lot way more than most but I want to make my nest egg and grow as rapidly as possible for the next few years so that when things go south I can choose to work or drastically slow down and jump into a VA and get the benefits and healthcare for life. But I do not have a positive outlook on the future of doing well as a doctor and the enjoyment will be leeched out.

Great to hear. Lol, not sure those VA positions will be there when they can just hire galore of NPs independently in any state. If one's nest egg (6-7% returns) can produce close to a psych salary 200-250k yearly you are sitting pretty. If you can get a 4% withdrawal from your nest egg in that range you've won the game and then some. Hope in 2030 my efforts were worth it and I can scale back to PT.

For everyone else thats just starting these goals are attainable for everyone. 150k yearly investing at 7% for 13 years which including 401k/b/a and matching plus hsa/roth gets you to some of these numbers. Also can consider equity in house to a degree as well.

 

[forchinet121]

This is what I’m doing. Working a lot way more than most but I want to make my nest egg and grow as rapidly as possible for the next few years so that when things go south I can choose to work or drastically slow down and jump into a VA and get the benefits and healthcare for life. But I do not have a positive outlook on the future of doing well as a doctor and the enjoyment will be leeched out.

You don’t work that much though I thought don’t you average around 40 hours a week?

 

[psychmd03]

You don’t work that much though I thought don’t you average around 40 hours a week?

Hours no. But volume and normally 2 days off a month... sometimes none. So it isn't "a lot" but it is lol