22 replies to this topic

[*JB*]

Medicare Cuts to Doctors' Pay Set for This Week

This week, physicians are set to receive a 21 percent pay cut under Medicare, because Congress was unable to pass a so-called "doc fix" legislation to defer the scheduled cuts.

<SNIP>

The cuts will officially go into place tomorrow.
----> Link <a href="http://spectator.org/blog/2010/06/14/medicare-cuts-to-doctors-pay-s" target="_blank">http://spectator.org/blog/2010/06/14/medic...o-doctors-pay-s</a>

===============================
Over the last several weeks, I've talked to 3 of my family's doctors -- and my Nephew who's also a MD.

2 have stopped -- and the other two are seriously considering not -- taking Medicare patients anymore.

That was before this.

Yep, Medical Insurance reform -- with the $500 Billion Medicare cut alone -- is going to make it just great for older folk or parents/grand parents.

Edited by *JB*, 14 June 2010 - 09:32 PM.

[MaryAM]

Medicare Cuts to Doctors' Pay Set for This Week

This week, physicians are set to receive a 21 percent pay cut under Medicare, because Congress was unable to pass a so-called "doc fix" legislation to defer the scheduled cuts.

<SNIP>

The cuts will officially go into place tomorrow.
----> Link <a href="http://spectator.org/blog/2010/06/14/medicare-cuts-to-doctors-pay-s" target="_blank">http://spectator.org/blog/2010/06/14/medic...o-doctors-pay-s</a>

===============================
Over the last several weeks, I've talked to 3 of my family's doctors -- and my Nephew who's also a MD.

2 have stopped -- and the other two are seriously considering not -- taking Medicare patients anymore.

That was before this.

Yep, Medical Insurance reform -- with the $500 Billion Medicare cut alone -- is going to make it just great for older folk or parents/grand parents.

This medicare stuff is pure politics. 30% of my property taxes go for health insurance for 2,000 roughly union employees ($30 million) - town population around 30,000. BCBS paid out only $4 million in claims leaving $26 Million in the hands of the insurance companies as profit - now multiply that times roughly 170 towns in Connecticut alone - and try and figure out how the whole system is ripping us off. THE MONEY ISN'T GOING TOWARD MEDICAL CARE - ITS FOR INSURANCE COMPANY PROFITS. The medicare fraud is also another problem easily solved - make the patient or patients advocate approve the bill BEFORE ITS SUBMITTED FOR PAYMENT. Ya think a lot of fraud would get caught.
Mary Anne

[Rogerdodger]

Money will be taken from Fund Managers!

Over the next 10 years, the Senate proposal would increase direct spending by $126 billion and add $22 billion in funding to prevent a 21 percent payment cut to doctors in the Medicare program, the Congressional Budget Office estimated.

The total package adds about $80 billion to the deficit over that period, according to CBO.

The legislation's so-called carried interest tax proposal would require fund managers to pay the much higher ordinary income tax rate on a majority of their income from managing investors' money.

The Senate version would tax 65 percent of fund managers' income at the higher rate. A tougher House version would tax 75 percent at ordinary income rates.

Currently, they only pay a 15 percent capital gains tax rate on this income, while ordinary income is taxed at a maximum of 35 percent. The top tax rate is set to rise to 39.6 percent in 2011, the year this legislation would take effect.

NOTE: They did not address the anticipated rush of fund managers taking profits before the end of 2010, before these massive tax increases take effect.
LINK

[*JB*]

[quote]name='*JB*' post='529287' date='Jun 14 2010, 10:27 PM'===============================
Over the last several weeks, I've talked to 3 of my family's doctors -- and my Nephew who's also a MD.

2 have stopped -- and the other two are seriously considering not -- taking Medicare patients anymore.

That was before this.

Yep, Medical Insurance reform -- with the $500 Billion Medicare cut alone -- is going to make it just great for older folk or parents/grand parents.[/quote]

[quote]name='MaryAM' date='Jun 15 2010, 02:22 PM' post='529417']
This medicare stuff is pure politics. 30% of my property taxes go for health insurance.....[/quote]


I was gong to let this pass, but it (to me) demands a reply.

Medicare "stuff" may be pure politics, but it's a LOT more than that. The rest of what you wrote is another topic and not the part of insurance reform I was dealing with.

BTW, do you not have anyone you care about in your life who is forced (like nearly ALL people over 65) to rely on Medicare as their primary insurance? Just curious.

They may get around to rescinding the 21% cut -- I hope they do. However, the fact remains that doctors and medical facilities have been -- and will continue to -- INCREASINGLY DUMP seniors (Medicare patients).

This means 37 MILLION Americans are facing increased -- and growing -- rationing of medical care...people are going to die due to this. (Yeah AARP)

Unless they are independently wealthy, or have families that are, they have NO other choice but to rely on medicare and "take what they get".

Edited by *JB*, 16 June 2010 - 05:48 PM.

[maineman]

not sure why I bother to reply but I guess its my nature. I've been practicing medicine for 22 years in my office. As an Internal Medicine specialist a major portion of my patients are elderly. Medicare has been our life. Without it these folks would have been in serious trouble. Of all the health insurance out there, its the best. Medicare pays on time, pays well enough, unless you're a greedy bastage, provides appropriate services. I know of an odd doctor here and there, usually in crowded, larger, successful, cities (like Manhattan, Miami, Beverly Hills, etc) who are able to "opt out" of Medicare and charge cash, and charge whatever they want. But in the real world where I live and where most of my colleagues live, Medicare is our livelihood and its just fine. A 21% cut would be a major pain, and I doubt they'll pass it, but it won't be a game changer. I could go on for hours, but it is superiour to the "private insurers" or for-profit insurers, who limit my/our ability to treat our patients by denying coverage of CAT scans, MRIs, etc. , decide which drugs we can prescribe, and more. I'm talking about Aetna, Cigna, the Blues and more. They cut costs, like BP, to increase the bottom line to their shareholders and CEOs. Medicare has minimal overhead, allows us to treat our patients how we see fit and leaves us alone to practice good medicine. For most of the docs I know, its the "private insurers" who are driving us nuts. Whenever I think about quitting, its not because of Medicare. Its because of the 2 hours on the phone talking to some butthead in Indiana who is denying coverage for an emergency MRI. Or arguing with a "nurse reviewer" who wants me to switch brands of diabetes medicine because they cut a deal with one of the drug makers., not because its a better drug or even the right drug. Medicare doesn't do that. Show me an example of where our "seniors" are being allowed to die and are being denied coverage. What a bunch of hooey. mm

[MaryAM]

[quote name='*JB*' post='529609' date='Jun 16 2010, 06:44 PM'][quote]name='*JB*' post='529287' date='Jun 14 2010, 10:27 PM'===============================
Over the last several weeks, I've talked to 3 of my family's doctors -- and my Nephew who's also a MD.

2 have stopped -- and the other two are seriously considering not -- taking Medicare patients anymore.

That was before this.

Yep, Medical Insurance reform -- with the $500 Billion Medicare cut alone -- is going to make it just great for older folk or parents/grand parents.[/quote]

[quote]name='MaryAM' date='Jun 15 2010, 02:22 PM' post='529417']
This medicare stuff is pure politics. 30% of my property taxes go for health insurance.....[/quote]


I was gong to let this pass, but it (to me) demands a reply.

Medicare "stuff" may be pure politics, but it's a LOT more than that. The rest of what you wrote is another topic and not the part of insurance reform I was dealing with.

BTW, do you not have anyone you care about in your life who is forced (like nearly ALL people over 65) to rely on Medicare as their primary insurance? Just curious.

They may get around to rescinding the 21% cut -- I hope they do. However, the fact remains that doctors and medical facilities have been -- and will continue to -- INCREASINGLY DUMP seniors (Medicare patients).

This means 37 MILLION Americans are facing increased -- and growing -- rationing of medical care...people are going to die due to this. (Yeah AARP)

Unless they are independently wealthy, or have families that are, they have NO other choice but to rely on medicare and "take what they get".
[/quote]

YES - my sister had only Mediare last year when she was diagnosed with uterine cancer (82 years old - she is 22 years older than i am). She had surgery - but unfortunately the cancer had already spread. She was operated on in June 2009 and was in a nursing home by August and passed away in December. ALL OF HER CARE WAS PAID FOR except the trips from the Nursing home to the hospital for blood tests. She was in the High Rent portion of the Nursing home while she was still on Medicare - fortunately she did not go beyond the 100 days allowed - which would have put her on Medicaid - and she would have been moved into the low rent portion of the nursing home. As far as I can see Medicare works, - its the fraud and abuse that is busting the system.

Personally I use the VA health care system - as far as I am concerned I get the best medical care in the country AND AND - I can travel anywhere in the country and still get scheduled treatments for my allergies. When I spent 4 months in Indiana when my sister was ill, - all I had to do was check in as a traveling VET in Indianapolis, received treatment in the emergency room, and drove home. Just a little paperwork, and 4 hours at the facility, instead of the two hours that I spend every two weeks here in Connecticut, but not a bad deal. Also, if I could even get private insurance, which I doubt even Obama's bill would allow me to have at anything affordable ( I get three Xolair injections every two weeks - check our the price of that drug will you) I doubt I would get approved under any circumstances. She always had a doctor who saw her regularly while on Medicare. I don't know what the big deal is - except in heavily populated areas of the country where medical care seems to be more rationed than in more rural, less populated areas.
Mary Anne

[mss]

1)-not sure why I bother to reply but I guess its my nature.

2)-A 21% cut would be a major pain, and I doubt they'll pass it, but it won't be a game changer.

3)-Medicare has minimal overhead, allows us to treat our patients how we see fit and leaves us alone to practice good medicine.

4)-Medicare doesn't do that.

5)-Show me an example of where our "seniors" are being allowed to die and are being denied coverage. What a bunch of hooey.

mm

I numbered the statements in your post that I wish to address even though you believe I have a childish - juvenile attitude.

1) I am not sure why I bothered to make your post visible, it is your typical half baked rambling.

2) You did not read the LINK it has already "PASSED."

3) Not a real accurate statement, heavy overhead, and HOURS - DAYS to get answers you need. I have waited two weeks for them to correct one of my records, requiring several phone calls (waiting for a live body) two letters and three Emails, still not solved.

4) I can give you several references where medicine has been refused and another approved. Apparently you are not aware that UNITED HEALTH CARE is deeply involved in managing Medicare's program.

5) Can't comment on dyeing, neither can you with full truth and knowledge. Denied or delayed coverage happens often and I can personally testify to that.

Try to understand that there is another world outside of the city limits where you live.

After all, neither one of us knows everything there is to know, about - EVERYTHING.

Best to you,
mss

[MaryAM]

Money will be taken from Fund Managers!

Over the next 10 years, the Senate proposal would increase direct spending by $126 billion and add $22 billion in funding to prevent a 21 percent payment cut to doctors in the Medicare program, the Congressional Budget Office estimated.

The total package adds about $80 billion to the deficit over that period, according to CBO.

The legislation's so-called carried interest tax proposal would require fund managers to pay the much higher ordinary income tax rate on a majority of their income from managing investors' money.

The Senate version would tax 65 percent of fund managers' income at the higher rate. A tougher House version would tax 75 percent at ordinary income rates.

Currently, they only pay a 15 percent capital gains tax rate on this income, while ordinary income is taxed at a maximum of 35 percent. The top tax rate is set to rise to 39.6 percent in 2011, the year this legislation would take effect.

NOTE: They did not address the anticipated rush of fund managers taking profits before the end of 2010, before these massive tax increases take effect.
LINK

UHHHHH - Fund managers aren't providing any medical care - so who the heck cares if they lose money. They should not be in that business of extracting medical funds for investment purposes - why are dollars that are supposed to go for medial care, are being diverted into FUNDS????? - that isn't going to save anyone's life or pay doctors for provide medications.
Mary Anne

[maineman]

1)-not sure why I bother to reply but I guess its my nature.

2)-A 21% cut would be a major pain, and I doubt they'll pass it, but it won't be a game changer.

3)-Medicare has minimal overhead, allows us to treat our patients how we see fit and leaves us alone to practice good medicine.

4)-Medicare doesn't do that.

5)-Show me an example of where our "seniors" are being allowed to die and are being denied coverage. What a bunch of hooey.

mm

I numbered the statements in your post that I wish to address even though you believe I have a childish - juvenile attitude.

1) I am not sure why I bothered to make your post visible, it is your typical half baked rambling.

2) You did not read the LINK it has already "PASSED."

3) Not a real accurate statement, heavy overhead, and HOURS - DAYS to get answers you need. I have waited two weeks for them to correct one of my records, requiring several phone calls (waiting for a live body) two letters and three Emails, still not solved.

4) I can give you several references where medicine has been refused and another approved. Apparently you are not aware that UNITED HEALTH CARE is deeply involved in managing Medicare's program.

5) Can't comment on dyeing, neither can you with full truth and knowledge. Denied or delayed coverage happens often and I can personally testify to that.

Try to understand that there is another world outside of the city limits where you live.

After all, neither one of us knows everything there is to know, about - EVERYTHING.

Best to you,
mss

1) I am not sure why I bothered to make your post visible, it is your typical half baked rambling.

Can't speak to your ability to process. There is no rambling here. I shared over 20 years of experience as one of the best Internists in the Northeast. You, have a problem stalking my posts and have added nothing here. That's why I don't post anymore. Wierd.

[MaryAM]

1)-not sure why I bother to reply but I guess its my nature.

2)-A 21% cut would be a major pain, and I doubt they'll pass it, but it won't be a game changer.

3)-Medicare has minimal overhead, allows us to treat our patients how we see fit and leaves us alone to practice good medicine.

4)-Medicare doesn't do that.

5)-Show me an example of where our "seniors" are being allowed to die and are being denied coverage. What a bunch of hooey.

mm

I numbered the statements in your post that I wish to address even though you believe I have a childish - juvenile attitude.

1) I am not sure why I bothered to make your post visible, it is your typical half baked rambling.

2) You did not read the LINK it has already "PASSED."

3) Not a real accurate statement, heavy overhead, and HOURS - DAYS to get answers you need. I have waited two weeks for them to correct one of my records, requiring several phone calls (waiting for a live body) two letters and three Emails, still not solved.

4) I can give you several references where medicine has been refused and another approved. Apparently you are not aware that UNITED HEALTH CARE is deeply involved in managing Medicare's program.

5) Can't comment on dyeing, neither can you with full truth and knowledge. Denied or delayed coverage happens often and I can personally testify to that.

Try to understand that there is another world outside of the city limits where you live.

After all, neither one of us knows everything there is to know, about - EVERYTHING.

Best to you,
mss

Oh yes I forgot to mention - once I registered with the Indianapolis VA - all they had to do was swipe my card AND MY ENTIRE MEDICAL RECORD WAS IN FRONT OF MY ATTENDING PHYSICIAN IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. AND ALSO BY THE WAY - I DON'T GET THIS CARE FOR FREE - I MAKE REGULAR CO-PAYS OFTEN AS HIGH AS $600 FOR A GIVEN MONTH WHICH I GLADLY PAY.
Mary Anne