In the meanwhile, is it really a problem that some people will be able to afford better care because they're wealthier? We get better everything else...
As one who just applied for Medicare today ( ), I don't see any short-term problems. I've already checked with my PCP and specialists and they (or their practice) accept Medicare without question.Not a problem if you are very wealthy, but since I will be eligible for medicare in a couple of years, I am worried there will not be enough Drs left that will accept it, unless you want to end up in some hospital clinic that has line going out the door.
As one who just applied for Medicare today ( ), I don't see any short-term problems. I've already checked with my PCP and specialists and they (or their practice) accept Medicare without question.
It might be that they go on volume (since I live in a state with a lot of old pharts, like me) and are willing to accept the lower payments.
I would suggest you ask your current providers if they accept Medicare (at this time). If not, you may want to change doctors to those that do before you take the plunge...
Just my $.02.
Whether it is health care, taxes or anything else, the "big lie" is that the rich will have to 'deal with it' like everyone else.
The one thing the rich have more than money is ... options.
I have no idea if there is or will be a shortage of doctors, nurses, or any other health care service provider. One thing in clear abundance here in the US, for now and apparently forever, is the steady stream of experts that analyze and predict upcoming crises, shortages, and other reasons to be fearful.
cute fuzzy bunny said:This is why I quit reading and watching the news. They should just drop the 'news' pretense and call it the "booga booga time to get scared hour". Cars and homes on fire, people getting shot and killed, rapes, and all sorts of things exploding or going wrong. None of it affecting me whatsoever. None of it anything I could do anything about. None of it educational, entertaining, funny or inspiring. In short, useless information designed only to create fear and discomfort. I decided I didn't need that.
This is why I quit reading and watching the news. They should just drop the 'news' pretense and call it the "booga booga time to get scared hour". Cars and homes on fire, people getting shot and killed, rapes, and all sorts of things exploding or going wrong. None of it affecting me whatsoever. None of it anything I could do anything about. None of it educational, entertaining, funny or inspiring. In short, useless information designed only to create fear and discomfort. I decided I didn't need that.
There are plenty of doctors for everyone now. While some might think they'll shrink their practice and only service deep pocketed patients, there's a limited amount of those. In any case, if there is a doctor shortage then more people will move into that profession.
I am however waiting for the usual government intervention. We'll spend millions regulating stuff, then we'll pay doctors to not see patients, then we'll create 12 layers of bureaucracy that'll gobble up tax dollars. And nothing will be any different.
Actually if you take the motto of TV news it makes sense "If it bleeds it leads" and example is all the hub bub over a potential bacon shortage, when one is talking about a 15% increase in the price.This is why I quit reading and watching the news. They should just drop the 'news' pretense and call it the "booga booga time to get scared hour". Cars and homes on fire, people getting shot and killed, rapes, and all sorts of things exploding or going wrong.
all the hub bub over a potential bacon shortage, when one is talking about a 15% increase in the price
I think we will move to where the NP is the gateway to medical care, referring up the chain as need be. (This is the model for the various clinics at drug stores and the like where the physicians guild permits). For a cold or a sprain etc, the treatment is standardized so it does not require 8 years of post bachelors study.
DW and I have gone to the same dermatologist for years. We go at the same time for our yearly check ups. No PCP involved. We both have a couple of spots he is watching. So far all our visits have been routine. He may freeze a spot or two. his receptionist will not let us leave the office until we make the next yearly appointment. I don't know how long it would take to get an appointment if we called cold.
Ou dermatolgist (and most dermatologists around here) does not accept Medicare assignment. In other words we have to pay at our appointment and we are reimbursed by Medicare in a couple of weeks. We WOULD have a problem if we could only go to a dermatolgist who would accept Medicare assignment.
Neither traditional Medicare nor my MegaCorp Medicare supplement require me to have a PCP.
One data point:
We visited FIL in Houston recently. He had recently visited his primary care doctor to get a referral to a dermatologist to check out a funny-looking spot on his face (he had skin cancer on his nose removed a few years back). The PCP told him what it was and that he didn't need to see the dermatologist. FIL insisted and PCP said the wait for an appointment would be at least 3 months. PCP had tried to get an appointment for his mother with a dermatologist who was a personal friend and it still took almost a month.
Again, just one data point, though...
Sometimes it does, as the reimbursement from the insurance carrier may be a bit more than they can get directly from Medicare.Does having a Medicare Advantage plan get you in the door at doctors who don't accept basic Medicare?
I would agree.Sometimes it does, as the reimbursement from the insurance carrier may be a bit more than they can get directly from Medicare.
Look at the provider list for the Medicare Advantage plans.
-- Rita