MDNews - Minnesota

Q &A Charles E. Crutchfield III, md CEO, CRuTCHfiEld dERmATOlOgy Q What do you think is going to be the biggest challenge for health care, especially in minnesota? A: While not limited to Minnesota, the biggest challenge for health care is providing patients with continuity of care by permitting them to see a doctor of their choosing. We are hearing many stories about how the Affordable Care Act has required some individuals to change health plans to meet minimum guidelines. When a plan change occurs, if the new plan does not permit the same physicians within its network, it will force a patient to choose a new physician or pay exorbitant costs. The patient will have to choose between incurring unsustainable healthcare costs and giving up exceptional care from a physician who has followed the patient and his or her family for years. So many important elements of our healthcare system rely on the ability of patients to see the doctor of their choosing. The comfort and assurance of the patient, promoting better care and customer service, continuity of care, and maintaining satisfaction among physicians by permitting them to control the direction of ABouT DR. CRuTChFiElD CharleS e. CrutChfield iii, Md, earned his medical degree from the Mayo Clinic Medical School. He did an internship at the Gundersen Clinic and completed a dermatology residency at the University of Minnesota, where he is now a Clinical Professor of Dermatology. In addition to writing more than 100 scientific and informative skin care articles, he has co-authored a textbook of dermatology and written a children's book extolling the virtues of sun protection. Dr. Crutchfield also writes a weekly health column in the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder newspaper. He was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in recognition for his dedication to the profession and art of healing, and he received the Gold Triangle award from the American Academy of Dermatology for a radio show he co-hosted promoting better health in the African-American community. His parents, Charles Sr. and Susan, are also both Minnesota physicians. This year Dr. Crutchfield was selected as one of the 100 Most Influential Health Care Leaders in the State of Minnesota by Minnesota Physician. He was also selected as one of the Top 100 Newsmakers Making History in the United States 2013 by theGrio.com, a division of NBC news. 14 | Twin Cities MD News ■ MdNewS.CoM

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