“Because of the decrease, however, the physicians may be more reluctant to take calls because of the low pay and high liability,” she said.
Still, county officials said they had to reduce the reimbursement rate because its health services budget was strapped with a projected $100-million deficit, said Phillip Chen, health deputy for county Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who represents Glendale.
The department’s budget took another hit when state officials cut $8.8 million in funding, he said.
If the county continued to reimburse physicians at a rate of 27%, it would not be able to pay all of the claims for uninsured patients, according to the agreement.
The county is on the hook for more than 350,000 claims, according to a report to the Board of Supervisors.
Even with the lower reimbursement rate, physicians have not been paid for emergency services since July, county Supervisor Don Knabe said Tuesday.
“It’s uncalled for that we still have not paid since July 1,” he said.
Knabe called for physicians to be paid promptly, fairly and efficiently.
“Transparency in this process and, most importantly, to protect the emergency care safety net,” he said.
Knabe directed the county Department of Health Services to pay the backlog of frozen claims.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Pasadena physician Genevieve Clavreful said the county’s failure to reimburse physicians was unfair.
“I think it is time that people are paid their due,” she said. “I mean the more you do not pay, especially physicians and people in health care, [the] less . . . people to work for you.”
Get in touch VERONICA ROCHA covers public safety and the courts. She may be reached at (818) 637-3232 or by e-mail at veronica.rocha@ latimes.com.
