New Yorkers will soon be able to shop for low cost health insurance on the new state Health Benefit Exchange. This sounds great. Many families that previously had been unable to afford coverage will now be able to obtain it. Pre-existing condition? Not to worry, they won't matter. But some folks are worried - and with good reasons:

• Most parents we've spoken to haven't heard of the Exchange, let alone understand it's intent. Moreover, insurance companies agents that we've asked about it have given us vague responses.
• Are there suddenly going to be more primary care doctors to see this dramatic increase in patients that can afford a doctor visit? No, that's not going to happen. Will there be a line out the door of our office? Probably not, but waiting times for appointments are likely to increase.
• The Exchange is one of many provisions of the Affordable Care Act. One of those provisions that we anxiously awaited was an increase in reimbursements to physicians seeing Medicaid patients. This was to occur in January. It hasn't happened yet. Exchanges should be going online around the country in about four months. We suspect the government may file for an extension.