Survey finds high level of physician unhappiness with insurance companies

Doctors believe plans make unjustifiable denials of claims and have needless preauthorization demands.

Medscape: How Doctors Get More From Insurers (Despite Anger and Frustration)
More than 10,000 physicians across the nation participated in Medscape's Insurer Ratings Report 2011. Feelings of outrage, resignation, and powerlessness dominated the comments that we received. In more than 4,700 physician remarks, the vitriol jumped off the page about physicians' perceptions of unjustified denials of claims, needless preauthorization demands, and requests for documentation that seem designed to stall payment for as long as possible (Crane, 12/5). 

Meanwhile, in New York, a survey points out neighborhoods with a shortage of health care providers.

WNYC: Report: Not Enough Primary Care Doctors In Poor Neighborhoods 
Hundreds of thousands of uninsured New Yorkers may get health coverage in the coming years, as federal health care reform takes effect. But city health officials are concerned there might not be enough doctors, nurses, clinics and private practices to see the newly insured.  ... The study suggests it's a very local problem: the city has twice as many primary care providers, overall, as federal authorities recommend, but some neighborhoods lag far behind  (Mogul, 12/5).