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Formergr t1_ixcpmu6 wrote

Reply to comment by crustyrusty91 in Hidden audits reveal millions in overcharges by Medicare Advantage plans by rustyseapants

> Traditional Medicare does not - most providers will accept Medicare. Very few have opted out.

A ton of providers have opted out of Medicare, what are you talking about? It’s a huge problem with regard to getting needed care by specialists in many areas of the country.

ETA: the MA plans still absolutely are evil, but going the traditional Medicare route also has shortcomings.

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crustyrusty91 t1_ixcv8n9 wrote

Maybe things have changed in the last two years, but this was my understanding:

> One percent of all non-pediatric physicians have formally opted-out of the Medicare program in 2020, with the share varying by specialty, and highest for psychiatrists (7.2%).

https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/how-many-physicians-have-opted-out-of-the-medicare-program/

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madmouser t1_ixdbk5b wrote

I may be being pedantic, but after reading that article it looks like there should be a fourth category: providers who do no accept Medicare under any circumstances. I see two types of opt-in and one opt-out, but no "we don't accept it, period." And the weasel words "formally opted out". What about informally opting out by just not taking on Medicare patients at all?

Edit: this article says that 1/3 of all primary care doctors will not accept any new Medicare patients. https://www.hlc.org/news/more-physicians-no-longer-seeing-medicare-patients/

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