The endless political bickering over Medicare may be taking its toll on patients. A new survey finds a small but growing number of patients report problems finding a new primary-care physician.
The problem may be at least partially caused by the continuing uncertainty over reimbursement rates for doctors, which has made many doctors wary of taking on new Medicare patients.
The survey's findings included:
- Only 6 percent of Medicare patients looked for a new primary care doctor in 2011.
- Of the 6 percent, 3.6 percent had "no problem" finding a new primary care physician.
- Meanwhile, while 0.7 percent had a small problem and 1.3 percent had a big problem.
The survey, conducted by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, found that searching for a new family physician or internist who is accepting Medicare patients was even more difficult than scheduling an appointment with a new specialist.
- Of all Medicare patients, 14 percent sought a new specialist in 2011.
- Of the 14 percent, 12.1 percent had "no problem" finding a new specialist.
- 1.1 percent had a small problem and 1 percent had a big problem.
This trend largely stems from concerns regarding physician compensation related to Medicare reimbursements, the study authors found. The sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, which establishes many of the reimbursement rates paid to doctors who are treating Medicare patients, will create significant cuts in payments.
- The SGR was scheduled to reduce Medicare payments by 27.4 percent on January 1st, but Congress delayed the cut by two months, continuing a decade of deferment.
- The cost of a repeal (measured in additional payments to health care providers) that would simply maintain current Medicare rates over 10 years has grown to $289.7 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
- Another option, repealing the formula and providing annual payment updates pegged to the increased costs over time of providing care, would cost $352.7 billion.
- Yet a third recommendation has suggested a 10 year pay freeze for primary care with cuts for other services.
Tina Rudisill (Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:14:57 +0000): and with Medicare most hospitals now require a deposit on all surgeries before they will do it. I had this happen to me with my neck/cervical spine surg. was 100 up front and for my L-spine MRI I had to pay 100 up front. and my drs 20% up front.
Randy Nesbitt (Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:07:36 +0000): Try finding a psychiatrist to follow your meds for you. They normally charge $120.00-350.00/visit but Medicare wants them to accept $30.00. Absolutely insane both ways you look at it.
Paula Wright (Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:55:44 +0000): I have been without a dr now for over a year. They are either not accepting new patients or the last one I tried to see stated"medicare does not allow us to accept until we get an open enrollment from them. What kind of bull is that? I give up..for I have been without any medications for a year now. Seem to be ok, it isn't worth getting upset over, if I get really sick I will just go to er.
Linda Loving (Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:07:46 +0000): HEALTH CARE BASED ON PROFFIT, WILL FOREVER CREATE GREED ON MANY LEVELS. PHYSICIANS DO TAKE AN OATH, WHICH IS BEING OVERRIDDEN BY GREED. REMEMBER INSURANCE COMPANIES, ARE SOME OF THE WEALTHIEST IN OUR COUNTRY...WE ALL LOOSE.
Barbara S. Parker (Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:51:57 +0000): I went in search of a specialist last year to replace my current physician as she no longer accepts Medicare. As good as she is, the added cost of paying out of pocket for each visit was prohibitive. What I found out was that the other doctors I was referred to were either not accepting new patients, not accepting Medicare or most other insurance plans, including Tricare. I ended up staying with my current doctor because there was no point in changing. I just have to adjust and cut back on a few things to handle the added cost. What choice do I have? I understand the doctors' point of view when Medicare pays them hardly anything. They end up having to see at least twice as many patients each day and rush through exams, which is not good for them or the patient.
Joseph Kyllo (Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:07:33 +0000): I think the numbers are way off on this one. It took me a year to find a primary care doctor in my area, Spokane/Coeur d'alene area. Ive had three doctors tell me I need to see a special because they all are convinced in addition to fibro myalgia (which requires a rheumatologist to stamp his approval on it) I need to be seen by a specialist as soon as possible for Acute System Lupus, so the rheumatologist can figure out what can be done to help me. This has been two years now, My primary care doctor's office called every rheumatologist within 350 miles, from seattle to boise and beyond. There is not one who takes Idaho Medicaid.I should be on medication to control the fibro and the lupus, so instead I spend every day in severe pain while the lupus robs me of my life and my family. My liver and heart are already starting to atrophy and I'm losing my memory. So less than 1% have problems finding a medicare medicaid doctor. Don't believe it for a minute, more like near all who don't already have one. SPecialists, good luck with that one.
SO because of the cut backs, and doctors refusals to accept medicaid patients, my family gets to watch me slowly die, Ive already been informed by my primary that I most likely will not see my newborns' 6th birthday without medication and a specialist to help me.
Thank you healthcare system for causing my death.
Debbie Grimes (Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:32:23 +0000): When my elderly parents could no longer manage alone, we moved them to our area. I called a list of 10 providers that the local hospital gave me, to find a physican for them. Every one turned them down because they did not accept Medicare. The only way I found them a physician was when I lucked out and happened to find a doctor who had just relocated here himself and needed to establish his practice. If the only health care system for the elderly is Medicare, no doctor should have the right to refuse to treat the elderly. This is an outrage, and it looks like nothing will ever be done about it, since our wealthy Congressmen never have to be concerned about what kind of health care they are able to receive for them and their families.
Valerie Barbie-Bluemle (Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:46:14 +0000): I don't know how many doctors here won't accept it, but I know that our congressmen have had to fight to get the payouts to be the same here as in other states. Apparently the reimbursement in our state is less than others and therefore the hospitals lose even more money. Argh, it's huge problem!!