Jim,
My husband is a Vietnam veteran and a retired officer of the US Army. We have been very pleased with Tri-Care for Life and, in my case, Medicare benefits. However, yesterday I had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor who had been referred to me by my primary care doctor. When I arrived at the office, I was greeted by a sign indicating that after January 1, 2011, this MD would no longer accept either Tricare for Life or Medicare, but would accept payment by the patient. What can I do to protest this apparent position by physicians? I am disappointed and appalled. I retrieved my film as I do not want to establish a relationship with a doctor who would "throw his own grandmother under the bus" I do want to do something to help alleviate this situation in which we as retirees find ourselves.
Reply:
There is little you can do.
I was in health care during my working career. At one time I was a consultant with a firm that managed physician business practices.
The decision to give up Medicare is a business decision. Physician practices must decide on how to continue to stay in business and they often will switch back and forth to insurers who pay the most at that moment, avoiding those who pay least. It's sometimes their way of protesting further cuts in rates that Medicare (and Tricare) pay them.
It's unusual that an orthopedic doctor would turn away Medicare. The Medicare "Hips & Knees" crowd is often the bulk of their patients and to lose them is a significant loss to the practice. If a physician accepts Medicare, they're generally required to accept Medicaid and that may be a problem. Medicaid pays even less and those rates fall every year it seems.
I can only assume that at the same time he gives up Medicare payment he'll pick up a new contract with some private insurer that will bring him a higher profit patient. This may last a year or two and he'll announce he is again accepting Medicare. If he accepts Medicare he's required to accept Tricare.
You may want to write your Congressman to express your views that this is another reason we should continue to pursue health care reform in America. We didn't go far enough recently because of partisan bickering in Congress.
For now...find another doctor.