Doctor Fix set to expire on Monday: Medicare payments to be cut 21%

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http://www.basilandspice.com/healthcare-issues/medicare-cuts-doctor-payments-21-on-312010jobs-lost.html?lastPage=true#comment7604037

I read this article related to the doctor fix issue in the Medicare program. I am curious to hear other member's opinions on the physician's commentary on this issue.

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Accurate.

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Accurate.

Accurate?

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

They always get around to whining about rates...yet they as a group refuse to report physicians whom are KNOWN within the medical communities to be unsafe. Unsafe docs = medical malpractice = litigation that is winnable = increased rates for the group so insurance can maintain high profit margin.

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They always get around to whining about malpractice insurance rates...yet they as a group refuse to report physicians whom are KNOWN within the medical communities to be unsafe. Unsafe docs = medical malpractice = litigation that is winnable = increased rates for the group so insurance can maintain high profit margin.

I couldn't agree more. Furthermore, they still whine about it in states where there has been meaningful reform. I guess the part that I don't understand is how they appeal to people by threatening not to provide care for them if reimbursement rates get cut. Everyone should understand that this is an idle threat, but it seems that most of the public doesn't.

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Specializes in pediatrics.

I wouldn't consider this an empty threat. There's already a trend of docs leaving med school for other professions. Also, more and more physicians are going to a cash only system which tends to skirt the issue of reimbursement. The fact that their already ridiculous reimbursement rates are being cut 21% is outrageous. As a NP, I make more than most clinic based pediatricians now due to their reimbursement issues. I know a cardiac surgeon and his reimbursement through medicaid/care is about $1500 for a CABG!

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I wouldn't consider this an empty threat. There's already a trend of docs leaving med school for other professions. Also, more and more physicians are going to a cash only system which tends to skirt the issue of reimbursement. The fact that their already ridiculous reimbursement rates are being cut 21% is outrageous. As a NP, I make more than most clinic based pediatricians now due to their reimbursement issues. I know a cardiac surgeon and his reimbursement through medicaid/care is about $1500 for a CABG!

I wouldn't consider it a trend unless you have some percentages on it. You can't just say that something happened a few times and call it a trend. What other professions did the people you are speaking of leave for? Also, VERY few physicians are going to a cash only system and it can't work widespread at the current reimbursement rates. It isn't outrageous at all to cut them 21%. I think they should be cut more than that. You need to provide some proof on your claim about pediatricians making less than you. What is wrong with someone doing a CABG for $1,500? Please explain.

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They always get around to whining about malpractice insurance rates...yet they as a group refuse to report physicians whom are KNOWN within the medical communities to be unsafe. Unsafe docs = medical malpractice = litigation that is winnable = increased rates for the group so insurance can maintain high profit margin.

The reimbursement rates and the hastles with medicare/medicaid are the reason why doctors are not going into primary care as much when it once was a popular choice. While some may think this is good for nurses as a whole, it is definitely bad for patients as a whole.

I wouldn't consider it a trend unless you have some percentages on it. You can't just say that something happened a few times and call it a trend. What other professions did the people you are speaking of leave for? Also, VERY few physicians are going to a cash only system and it can't work widespread at the current reimbursement rates. It isn't outrageous at all to cut them 21%. I think they should be cut more than that. You need to provide some proof on your claim about pediatricians making less than you. What is wrong with someone doing a CABG for $1,500? Please explain.

It IS a trend that doctors are moving to cash only systems. It is very popular actually. What happens is the doctor can then take 2-4x more time with patients and can cut their patient load from say 2000 to 600 yet still make the same and often more money. The problem is the other 1400 patients who can't pay for it, have to go somewhere else and many (soon to be almost all) primary care docs are not goning to take medicare/medicaid.

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The reimbursement rates and the hastles with medicare/medicaid are the reason why doctors are not going into primary care as much when it once was a popular choice. While some may think this is good for nurses as a whole, it is definitely bad for patients as a whole.

You are VERY wrong when it comes to this matter. This could be the best thing that happened for patients in a this century.

It IS a trend that doctors are moving to cash only systems. It is very popular actually. What happens is the doctor can then take 2-4x more time with patients and can cut their patient load from say 2000 to 600 yet still make the same and often more money. The problem is the other 1400 patients who can't pay for it, have to go somewhere else and many (soon to be almost all) primary care docs are not goning to take medicare/medicaid.

LIke I said, show us some numbers that prove it is a trend if you want to call it that. Don't use general terms like "very popular". You have made my point for me, it can't be a widespread phenomenon because only the super wealthy can afford it. Let's see these "almost all" primary care docs not taking medicare/medicaid. They won't be in the business anymore at all and nurse practitioners can move in and take it over.

Thanks for your input.

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