Why Medicare rates will never go up as they should...

[Guest guest]

I've brought this up in the past, but IMHO, Medicare rates will always go up poorly due to the table below.There is no incentive for Gov't to increase the rates to gain better access to physicians for Seniors.

Access to care by Medicare beneficiaries is no worse than private insurance.As long as this is the case, beneficiaries won't complain to their representatives to improve the system.------------------------------------------------------

This pamphlet is interesting reading...www.medpac.gov/documents/mar11_entirereport.pdfREPORT TO THE CONGRESSMedicare Payment Policy

-------------------------------------------------------http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/21/gvl10321.htmMedicare panel recommends 1% physician pay boost in 2012

Physician organizations urge Congress to prevent an estimated 29.5% drop in Medicare payments next year under the sustainable growth rate formula.

By Fiegl, amednews staff. Posted March 21, 2011.Access to physicians unimpeded

Despite continued uncertainty over Medicare physician pay rates, access by program beneficiaries remains good compared with people age 50-64 who are privately insured, MedPAC finds in a 2010 patient survey:

How often?MedicarePrivate insurance

Delays in getting routine care appointments

Never75%72%

Sometimes17%21%

Usually3%4%

Always2%3%

Delays in getting appointments for illness or injury

Never83%80%

Sometimes13%15%

Usually2%2%

Always1%2%

Finding a new primary care physician

No problem79%69%

Small problem8%12%

Big problem12%19%

Finding a new specialist

No problem87%82%

Small problem6%11%

Big problem5%6%

Note: " Don't know " or refused responses are not presented.

Source: " Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy, " Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, March (www.medpac.gov/documents/mar11_entirereport.pdf)

Locke, MD