Finding a doc who takes new Medicare patients? (Mayo, Lee: insurance, moving)

[vigo]

Both my husband and myself are on Medicare and will be moving from south Florida to Nocatee sometime in the near future. Obviously we'll have to find new doctors and we're really worried about finding physicians who will take new Medicare patients. I would love to hear from any retirees who have moved to the area from somewhere else -- did you have any problem finding a primary care doc to take you on?

[LifeIsGood01]

Any doctor associated with a hospital will usually take both Medicare and Medicaid. I would call a large hospital and ask if they have a medical group that is accepting new patients. I'm in SW Florida now and everything here is run by Lee Health in this area, they have 3 major hospitals, many affiliated doctors who's offices are in the hospital itself, in the office park area. and they have walk in clinics too.

[mav286]

You could call the Baptist Primary Care located in Nocatee to check. Most of their locations have 1 or more Drs that take new medicare patients.
Baptist Primary Care
98 Nocatee Village Drive
Ponte Vedra, FL 32081
904.824.1020

[Thundarr457]

Check with your insurance and see which MD's take it. Do you have straight Medicare or a Medigap policy?

[Thundarr457]

I had no difficulty finding an MD that would take my insurance but I have a Medigap policy. I use Dr Martinez and I am very happy. If you want to avail yourself of the specialists at the Mayo you need a special policy as they do not accept assignmemt of Medicare Part B.

Mayo Clinic doesn't participate with Medicare Part B in Arizona and Florida, Medicare will help pay for services provided at all Mayo Clinic sites regardless of whether they participate with Medicare Part B. Claims will be filed to Medicare Part B and supplemental or secondary insurance companies on your behalf. In some cases, Medicare Part B and supplemental or secondary insurance payments may be sent directly to you. When this happens, patients will be responsible for reimbursing Mayo Clinic for any payments they receive and any balances not covered by their insurance.

[vigo]

We have Medicare and a secondary federal Aetna policy. The problem isn't finding doctors who take Medicare or who take our Aetna policy. It's that most doctors these days don't want to take on any new Medicare patients. If their regular patients age into Medicare, they'll keep them on. But they don't like to take new ones.

Thanks for the Baptist Primary Care info. I'll check with them. I did know about Mayo not participating with Medicare Part B -- bummer.