Originally Posted by LauerDO
The down-side: i will feel sad and guilty that many of my medicare patients won't be able to afford to see me for cash payments (I will offer them reduced fees of $40-75 office visits), people I've cared years for. But even with my lowered fees many won't be able to afford it.


Adam,

Thank you for your insight. This is the part of the equation that is kicking my butt. Unfortunately, the average salary here in Montana is quite low, and the Medicare % is higher than a lot of other areas in the country, and the out of pocket cost will be quite formidable to the Medicare group as a whole.

However, reading your post does reinforce the idea, for my practice, that the status quo will have to change.

jimmie
internal medicine
gab.com/jimmievanagon