High-end medical option prompts Medicare worries

[NeoConsSuck]

Source: Yahoo Finance

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Every year, thousands of people make a deal with their doctor: I'll pay you a fixed annual fee, whether or not I need your services, and in return you'll see me the day I call, remember who I am and what ails me, and give me your undivided attention.

But this arrangement potentially poses a big threat to Medicare and to the new world of medical care envisioned under President Barack Obama's health overhaul.

The spread of "concierge medicine," where doctors limit their practice to patients who pay a fee of about $1,500 a year, could drive a wedge among the insured. Eventually, people unable to afford the retainer might find themselves stuck on a lower tier, facing less time with doctors and longer waits.

Medicare recipients, who account for a big share of patients in doctors' offices, are the most vulnerable. The program's financial troubles are causing doctors to reassess their participation. But the impact could be broader because primary care doctors are in short supply and the health law will bring in more than 30 million newly insured patients.

If concierge medicine goes beyond just a thriving niche, it could lead to a kind of insurance caste system.



Read more: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Highend-medical-option-apf-94418692.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=main&asset=&ccode=

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The 'haves' and the 'have mores'. Why am I not surprised by anything in America anymore?

[shraby]

1. Is this for real or is the right wing throwing poo against

the wall hoping it will stick in order to take down one of the safety nets?

[Autumn]

2. April fools. Right ??

This can not be for real.

[triguy46]

6. Which are you asking of? medicare's concern or concierge docs?

Both are very real. I know docs considering this as retirement gig. Very high levels of satisfaction among both physicians and patients.

[elleng]

3. Discussed earlier:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4797915

[Mojorabbit]

4. Hubby gets advertisements

for these programs every week. He says he already is at his patient's beck and call and does not think it is right for him. He knows all his patients well and even remembers their dog's names( awesome memory).It really is not a bad price though esp for someone with a lot of problems that needs to be seen often. Might come out ahead.

[Phaedrus76]

5. Lower tier?

If you lack money, you are already on a lower tier.
If the problem is a shortage of primary care physicians, then the nation should do more to promote young people to go to med school, and onto primary care.

[Cleita]

7. Concierge health care does not pay for hospitals, or

other treatments and drugs. People need to be aware of that.

[valerief]

8. Just don't move to Florida. nt

[Lorien]

9. $1,500 is a bargain for most of us who are self employed

We don't get group rates so our insurance costs are insanely high. And with deductibles of 10k, most of us never even get to use our "insurance".