Anesthesiologists' Rejection of Medi-Cal Could Jeopardize Surgery Access in California

Lack of anesthesiology coverage in Oxnard, Calif., could jeopardize patients' access to surgery, according to a Ventura County Star report.

According to the report, more than 50,000 Oxnard residents covered by Medi-Cal would be sent to a hospital outside the city for heart procedures, non-emergent surgeries, planned Caesarean sections and hysterectomies.

Anesthesiologists at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard turned down contract offers from the public insurance system, saying the reimbursement was too low to cover procedures. Anesthesiology groups at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Carallo and Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks also rejected offers from the plan that runs Medi-Cal in Ventura County.

Because anesthesiologists are contracted providers, rather than employees, they can make their own decisions on whether to accept Medi-Cal.

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