"``Many physicians have said, `I simply cannot afford to keep taking care of Medicare patients,''' said Heim, a family doctor who practices in Laurinburg, North Carolina. ``If you truly know your business costs and you are losing money, it doesn't make sense to do more of it.''
"The Mayo organization had 3,700 staff physicians and scientists and treated 526,000 patients in 2008. It lost $840 million last year on Medicare, the government's health program for the disabled and those 65 and older, Mayo spokeswoman Lynn Closway said."
Posted by Renee K (Member # 21220) on :
Just the beginning..
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
I have a cousin that is a doctor.
Medicare didn't pay her for so long she lost her office to the bank,yep the whole house she built her office in got forclosed on.
She moved back in with my uncle.
Dispickable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MADDOG
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I broke my foot last summer. Through some sleight of hand, Medicare did not pay the doctor for either the visit or the x-rays.
Beyond embarrassed, I wanted to pay but, somehow, even though he is not on my state's medicaid (and I knew that and that I'd be paying a co-pay) my state's medicaid says it would be illegal for me to pay him anything now and if he takes anything, he's breaking the law and subject to fines.
I don't know how they figure this stuff but clearly, he got the bad end of that deal. While his office staff was very nice to me about this, I can't go back there as I can never know if he'd get paid the next time or not.
There are very few doctors' offices that I can go to because of how busy they are. This doctor's was the best. He is too.
Since most regular doctors drop someone with lyme early on, I have learned to pretty much figure out how to do a lot on my own. However, with a pulverized bone, I really would like a doctor's advice and continuity of care.
Sad. -
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i think i heard someplace that mayo clinic and some other big hospital up north is no longer taking medicare.
just the beginning folks, just the beginning.
maybe ole dumb sarah was not so dumb after all. well at least in this case.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- who is sarah? -
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
sarah palin. she predicted that a lot of hospitals and doctors will come out on the short end of the stick, along with seniors and us middle class folks, on this insurance deal.
Posted by Renee K (Member # 21220) on :
More people in the system + less money into the system = less care available in the system
Not rocket science
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
there was some hospital on the news and i can't remember which one but said that over 25 percent of the people who come in don't pay.
whew, that's a lot.
no wonder they looked happy when i told them i carry two plans and would pay the rest in cash. seemed to me the relief was palpable....
wonder if you get better care. hmmmm
Posted by Buster (Member # 19472) on :
You are going to watch thousands of doctors stop accepting any form of insurance and go to out of pocket.
I have already stopped paying insurance and have actually set up an insurance plan with my private doctor that is so much more cheaper.
I figured all the money you have to pay each year for insurance, why not stop paying it and put that money you save somewhere so when you do have something happen to you (heart attack, injury, illness, ect) You can pay for it in cash.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Learn homeopathic and naturopathic first aid.
It keeps me out of doctors' offices (other than for a broken foot). It started because I can't find a ride to the doctor and, other than a very narrow window, it's too noisy for me to go.
My ND has helped a lot, but that's even more money that I don't have. So, I'll figure it out.
There are so many symptoms that I can handle all on my own - which is good as my GP is totally baffled by the complexity of my case, anyway - even if he is kind about that. So, that helps me learn to be more self-reliant.
I've learned more patience and to know there are no instant cures for most things. That takes years to accept.
I would also like to see the medical system change totally. Most doctors' offices and hospitals are not very healing at all. I think they even contribute to worsening of patients' health in so many ways.
We need healing environments, more touch, more nature, more sense. -
Posted by Renee K (Member # 21220) on :
Keebler
I agree with you completely. I've learned to handle most problems myself and avoid my PCP or the ER...only see my LLMD as we determine together what next steps I should take with my treatment.
I learned this 20 years ago when first became ill and DX with CFIDS. I adopted natural healing techniques, supported my body and really think that was what kept Lyme in check until I had to have an adrenal gland removed for another problem, then I crashed and Lyme took over.
I worked in a hospital for years, in the 70s we still did bedbaths, backrubs and handholding.
The 80s and the beginning of managed care took all that away , short staffing and procedure and medication based treatment, no time to touch, talk or sometimes even observe.
Same in the Dr office...appointments too rushed, always looking for the test or medication to treat with.