The Unthinkable – Turning Away Medicare, Medicaid, and Other Insured Patients

September 7, 2012  -  There’s a broad based movement afoot across the land -  physicians turning away 3^rd party patients.   By 3^rd party,  I mean government and private health plans who control, administer, and restrict  payment to physicians. 

Escaping these 3rd party restraints,  is basically what concierge and direct payment practices are all about.  For physicians who wish to remain in practices, the alternatives are direct cash and concierge practices.

If you want to read more about this movement,  you may want to  read my article in the September 6 issue of Physicians Practice,  a newsletter that goes to over 150,000 doctors.   If you wish to do so and you are a physician, simple go  to physicianspractice.com and register.  Registration is free.

Because of an agreement with the publisher of Physicians Practice,  I cannot reproduce my article here.

Suffice it to say, I start off with this 1964 quote from Senator William Fullbright.

"We must dare to think 'unthinkable' thoughts. We must learn to explore all the options and possibilities that confront us in a complex and rapid changing world. We must learn to welcome and not to fear the voices of dissent. We must dare to think about 'unthinkable things' because when things become unthinkable, thinking stops and actions becomes mindless.

And I end with an 8 point summary of what is likely to occur if government proceeds with its reform plan to cut 40% from physicians reimbursements in this decade coupled with more regulations and red tape.  

I predict the final result will be an unprecedented  physician and patient revolt.