As Medicare cuts for physicians are making the rounds again, there is no shortage of physicians complaining.
A 5% Medicare cut also affects private insurance payments as they usually pay a percentage of Medicare, for example they may pay 200% of Medicare, so a 5% Medicare cut would be a 10% private insurance cut.
Physicians like to complain about Medicare cuts, as payments for other parts of the healthcare industry increase.
This will not be the only cut, physicians should expect 5% cuts to their Medicare payments to happen almost every year.
This will not be the only cut, physicians should expect 5% cuts to their Medicare payments to happen almost every year. Click To Tweet
The reason why Medicare cuts keep happening is because physicians will still contract with Medicare and private health insurances, even if they had to walk over hot coals to do it.
Medicare could require physicians to only chart while standing on their left leg, and many would comply.
The reason why Medicare cuts keep happening is because physicians will still contract with Medicare and private health insurances, even if they had to walk over hot coals to do it. Click To Tweet
It sounds funny but it isn’t.
The power lies in not contracting with Medicare or private health insurance. If you don’t like their terms then you can say no.
“But Medicare is 80% of my practice.”
Medicare could require physicians to only chart while standing on their left leg, and many would comply. Click To Tweet
That is how you got into this mess in the first place.
If you never change anything then nothing will be changed.
Personally, I have opted out of Medicare and do not contract with any private insurance companies.
The practice looks different but it works. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.
