Martin, Wendell and Scott,
Thanks very much for your insight. Some of your advice is remarkably similar to others I have received. It is true that actually "closing" your practice can get around and make it more difficult to "open" when necessary. But, stating you are taking new patients but do not have any openings until....such and such....can be a way around that.
I have fought with the local, regional and national government about the FQHC across town who is seen for an ear infection on Monday, and they are reimbursed extremely well. The same patient, upset with seeing five different providers at five different visits, then transfers to me. I see the same ear infection and receive much less than the FQHC. That in and of itself, makes the Mainecare issue tough to swallow.
Not to mention that Mainecare patients receive their second Varivax, their TDap, RotaTeq, Menactra and Gardasil series at no cost while my private and self pay patients must purchase it themselves at the local pharmacy.
