MD's WONT ACCEPT MEDICARE HERE?! (Anchorage: how much, lawyers, employment)

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by AADAD

unbelievable

It gets even better. As of today MediCare payments to doctors will be cut by 21%. So the number of doctors who refuse to see MediCare patients will increase significantly in the very near future.

AMA - Federal Legislative Activities on Medicare (http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/advocacy/current-topics-advocacy/practice-management/medicare-physician-payment-reform-regulatory-relief/federal-legislative-activities-medicare.shtml - broken link)

[AADAD]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Ah, not really. The amount that Medicare reimburses physicans is so small in some instances, the doctor can literally lose money the moment the appointment is made.

Its a shame I know but, there are only so much a Dr can absorb before they would have to close their doors.

So this is true throughout the United States?

[stan4]

Originally Posted by AADAD

So this is true throughout the United States?

Yup. Docs all around here are dropping Medicare. And most won't take Medicaid, either.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by AADAD

So this is true throughout the United States?

Pretty much.

And, as another poster just noted - as of today - physican reimbursments GO DOWN ANOTHER 21%

More and more physicans will be dropping Medicare

[AADAD]

every time I see something like this I really wonder about the future of our country...assets being sold off while shills nickel and time the citizens and congress can't find it's way to the men's room.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by AADAD

every time I see something like this I really wonder about the future of our country...assets being sold off while shills nickel and time the citizens and congress can't find it's way to the men's room.

Exactly...no easy answers here. As usual it hurts the everyday American.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by Glitch

It gets even better. As of today MediCare payments to doctors will be cut by 21%. So the number of doctors who refuse to see MediCare patients will increase significantly in the very near future.

AMA - Federal Legislative Activities on Medicare (http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/advocacy/current-topics-advocacy/practice-management/medicare-physician-payment-reform-regulatory-relief/federal-legislative-activities-medicare.shtml - broken link)

Thanks for the link. This link was included as I read the info. Not good for Alaska.

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upl...-states-ak.pdf

[AADAD]

And they can't figure out why seniors use the ER as their doctor......

[RowdysMom]

If you have a quality secondary insurance such as BCBS, then it is much more likely that a doctor will take you. For seniors who still work or are retired with retirement insurance, then you don't have much of a problem finding a doctor. Without good quality secondary insurance, you may have a really hard time finding a doctor.

Also, while doctors don't make the profits they used to, sometimes it's just a matter of Medicare patients eating into their profits, rather than them not being able to afford to care for Medicare patients. Many times, it's just the almighty dollar (or lack of it). Doctors like those dollars in their pockets.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by RowdysMom

If you have a quality secondary insurance such as BCBS, then it is much more likely that a doctor will take you. For seniors who still work or are retired with retirement insurance, then you don't have much of a problem finding a doctor. Without good quality secondary insurance, you may have a really hard time finding a doctor.

Also, while doctors don't make the profits they used to, sometimes it's just a matter of Medicare patients eating into their profits, rather than them not being able to afford to care for Medicare patients. Many times, it's just the almighty dollar (or lack of it). Doctors like those dollars in their pockets.

My MIL has a good quality secondary insurance through the IBEW and this made no difference to the doctors who were not accepting Medicare. The IBEW insurance plan is a good one, they just hate paying it out like all insurance companies.