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For many seniors, Medicare and Medicaid is what allows them to see a doctor and receive the medical care they need. More and more doctors, however, are refusing to accept Medicare patients.
The source of the problem
Under the current Medicare budget formula, the formula does not work. If doctors cost Medicare too much, their pay is reduced to make up for the overspending. This creates a reverse incentive for doctors—the more they treat a patient, the more it costs it Medicare, which can lead to reduced payments to doctors.
Under the current budget, Congress must pass new legislation to avoid cutting doctors pay by 21 percent. Such a drastic cut will make the current problem worse.
Fewer doctors accept Medicare
The article tells the story of a woman who called 40 doctors, none of which would accept Medicare. If an individual needs critical care, this is a serious problem. Even if an elder just needs routine care, having to call that many doctors can be an extremely frustrating process.
Resolving the situation may be difficult
Something has to give, either doctors will have to take pay cuts, or the Medicare problem will continue to operate with a massive budget deficit. Realistically, a compromise on doctor pay is the most likely outcome. Until the issue is resolved, however, both doctors and their patients will continue to be frustrated.
Randall Ryder practices consumer rights law in Minnesota and is a publisher of Elder Parent Help.