As a primary care physician I get to know many of my patients very well.  Recently I’ve been hearing a lot more concern from my patients about the possibility that more doctors will no longer be able to afford to treat Medicare patients. 

Why the sudden interest in Medicare? For about a decade, Congress has relied on a defective formula to determine how to pay for medical services provided to Medicare patients.  Congress recognizes that this formula doesn’t account for the real cost of medical care, but they haven’t taken any action to replace it.  Congress’ inaction has put us in crisis. A solution for the crisis would have cost around $50 billion in 2005 and now will exceed $200 billion.

The rubber has finally hit the road, and the flawed formula has forced severe cuts for patient care: a 21% cut in payments for medical care provided to Medicare patients went into effect on April 1.  

Medicare has now put a temporary hold on paying doctor bills for as long as they can in the  hope that lawmakers will intervene, but unless Congress acts quickly the cut will soon be enforced. As a result, it is expected that many physicians will no longer be able to accept Medicare patients.   Don’t let this happen.  My Medicare patients deserve better and short term quick-fixes are unacceptable.  Please contact Senator Burris, Senator Durbin and your U.S. Representative and urge them to pass long-term Medicare payment reform.

Sincerely,

Steven M. Malkin, MD
President-Elect
Illinois State Medical Society