Consequences of Cuts to Medicare

In the last several years, a constantly increasing number of physicians have begun refusing Medicare patients. If Medicare becomes one of the programs cut with the approximately $4 Trillion spending cut agreement made as part of the debt ceiling increase agreement, unless other changes are made in the program, many more physicians will stop taking Medicare patients.

One of the most significant negatives for physicians, is that the reimbursement rate by Medicare, and in some cases, the timeliness of payments, has declined. If there are further cuts to Medicare in the reimbursement rate, and no increases in Medicaid, even more doctors will not want to take Medicare or Medicaid patients, as it is just not lucrative enough for them. As an example, in Key West, there is only one remaining Pediatrician that accepts Medicaid.