Hopeless you are exactly right. Doctors are either not accepting the insurance coverage or they are leaving the medical community because of the government involvement.

I have found that being covered by Medicare there are so many doctors that won't accept me. My supplemental coverage will cover anything that Medicare accepts. I have had two different doctors who are practicing within a group but there are only one or two doctors who will accept me in that practice. And it is mainly because Medicare dictates how much they will be paid for procedures. I actually have been to a Dermatologic Surgeon who accepts Medicare but you have to sign an agreement that you will be responsible to reinburse him for anything that Medicare reduces his charges.

Southern Bell

Is this legal? I thought doctors have to agree to accept whatever Medicare pays when they agree to be a doctor who accepts Medicare. I'd check with the State you're in to verify that this is legal (for the doctor to do).

I'm pretty sure that the state does not get involved in the coverage a doctor decides to accept or the choice he makes to get the patient to pay the outstanding balance.

If I didn't want to pay the difference, I have the choice to shop doctors. But this physician is highly recommended by my dermatologist and since the surgery was on my face I wanted someone who would do a good job so that there wouldn't be any bad scars. It was my choice to pay the difference.

The state doesn't have the right to force doctors to accept insurance or Medicare coverage but with Obamacare the federal government will do that in the end, I have no doubt. The main purpose is to control the medical coverage Americans will or will not receive and hopefully end up with the "single payer system".

Southern Bell

Providers (doctors, hospitals, labs, etc.) are not legally bound to accept any coverage types, Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, etc.

If they wish, they can say CASH ONLY.

If you spent years in medical school, would you like someone to dictate to you what you can charge, what you can accept, what your practice should be, etc.?

If you opened a business of any kind, do you HAVE to accept credit cards? NO. Would you benefit by having more customers if you did? Probably. When businesses accept credit cards, they have to pay a percentage of the sale amount to the credit card company.

Doctors accept "coverage" from third parties as a service and convenience to their patients and to increase the number of patients attracted to their practice.

Insurance companies do not have to continue to offer the policies that are considered "grandfathered". Having a policy prior to the passage of ObamaCare (PPACA) does not guarantee that it will continue to be offered. It only means that IF the insurance company AND the policyholder make NO changes, it will be grandfathered. A change by either will void the grandfather clause.

If the provider (doc) agrees to accept Medicare, YES, he must accept the amount they pay. BUT, he is not required to accept Medicare itself. He/she may simply state that they will not accept Medicare period.

The post is correct. My current physicians don't have to accept medicare. My first neuro, would not see me without cash up front. The surgery was cash too. I could not get health insurance due to pre-existing conditions. ginnie

Hi Ginnie,

Which post? I have posted so much on this tread, I am not sure which one you are referring to. I am so sorry that you were not covered.

I am freaking out about all this health care confusion and wondering how my care will be impacted as time goes on. I have a GREAT policy which has skyrocketed in price but I DO have coverage. I just don't know if the shoe will drop and I may soon find myself hunting for coverage like many others and if I can afford it. In two years I will be eligible for Medicare but until then I may wind up in the water with no paddle. Even Medicare coverage may leave me in the cold. I am very upset.

Maybe I should just pocket (save) what I pay in premiums and use that to pay CASH for all my medical care. Guess that won't work either.

I may have gotten confused once again. Comment was made about doctors not having to accept medicare and or medicaid. It is very true. These Government programs donot pay very much to the docs, certainly not what their charges are. My one doctor told me he feels he must, for ethical reasons of his own. the need is great,. I so hope the new program works out and that no one will fall through the cracks like I did,not being covered at all. The pre existing medical issues dumped me out of any insurance. If the new program works, people will not have to lose all they had as I did. I am blessed to have ssdi now, but during the wait time,....well you get the picture. So many are worried and need the care right now, not four years from now. I got gang green in my gallbladder, I waited too long to get checked out because of no insurance. It could have cost my life. That is what me being stupid did, out of fear of the cost. Same with the spinal fusions, waited too long, and they wiped me out financially. I hope no one has to go through something like that ever again. We do need this program. Let's all pray they get their act together, so suffering will be a thing of the past. Ginnie

Ginnie, so sorry that happened to you. Glad you have something now but it scares me that even your Medicare coverage may not fill your needs.