…health insurer rules often force New York State physicians to alter the way they treat patients — and not necessarily for the benefit of patients. Instead, the rules appear to have been developed to increase insurer profits at the expense of the best health practices and patients’ health.

it’s an ugly truth of managed care, and the only reasonable outcome when the provision of health care services becomes a business venture. as my friend holly can attest, the result of this can be truly horrific. but even for those who are not trying to make the transition from one insurer to another, profit-maximization imperatives can prevent them from getting the care they need.

the survey results indicate: Ninety percent (90%) of the physicians surveyed said that they have had to change the way they treat patients based on restrictions from an insurance company, and 92% said that insurance company incentives and disincentives regarding treatment protocols “may not be in the best interest of the patients.”

you can read about the survey as well as take a look at the instrument and response frequencies.