Surviving AmericanSurviving
American Medicine

As we approach 1-1-13, we are aware of the fiscal cliff, which every media source is covering. But worse, in my estimation, is the approaching Medicare and healthcare cliff, also arriving 1-1-13.

On 1-1-13, without congressional action, payments for all Medicare services will decrease 30%. What effect will this have on your care?

• There is a 25-40% chance your doctor will retire, stop seeing Medicare patients, or stop participating in Medicare  (requiring you to pay more money directly to the doctor if you want to continue getting medical care from that physician).
• When your doctor accepts reduced payment from Medicare, there is a high chance the physician will reduce staff in the office, decreasing the efficiency of your care or reducing access to care. Even if you do not have Medicare insurance, you may have to wait longer for your care or have shorter time to visit with the doctor.
• You will have to be more efficient to get the same care you have been receiving in the past.
  

  The Medicare and healthcare cliff is approachingyou have been receiving in the past.

• It will be harder for the doctor to find additional staff to help in your care, even if you have non-Medicare insurance.

What can you do?

• Ask your doctor or the office manager what are the plans for 2013 if the Medicare cuts take place.
• Be prepared to know how to find a new doctor if the physician suddenly decides to retire or move the practice to a different location.
• Write your congressman and senator and the president to urge action to fix the Medicare payment cuts to preserve your access to excellent medical care.
• Check out my book Surviving American Medicine in each chapter to see the impact of healthcare reforms on your care, and Chapter 1 Selecting a Primary Care Physician: How to Find a “Keeper”.

If the Medicare payment reduction is fixed, all of us will breathe a temporary sigh of relief that our care (including my wife’s, my family’s and mine) will continue to be available, for a while.