Doctors Fear Medicare Pay Cuts

By Christopher Walker
Nov 13 2010

Fears run deep in the US today as doctors are bracing themselves for the largest cut in pay for Medicare covered expenses in the history of the insurance plan.

A failed plan to keep costs under control has led to a problem with doctors who accept Medicare. A measure that is set to pass through Congress unless the delegates act, would cut the payments made to doctors by 23% on covered medical procedures.

This means that many doctors will likely stop accepting new Medicare patients. They have said that they simply cannot afford to continue treating Medicare recipients if the payments are cut by that much.

Congress is scheduled to vote on the measure but there is a fear that the bill will pass through Congress without a second look. This is due to the fact that Congress will meet only for a short time until their winter break.

Right now the governing body has a lot on their plate with economic and tax issues scheduled for the short session.

Medical groups have been lobbying against the measure for the past year, hoping to raise awareness wherever possible.

But, things have changed because the tax cuts that were enacted by President Bush seem to be taking center stage in the minds of lawmakers, well ahead of health care issues that are being fought behind the scenes.

The entire issue has worried the medical profession. While it is illegal for them to stop treating current Medicare patients, they will likely stop accepting new patients and create a shortfall in covered Medicare physicians.