General Discussion

onecent

(6,096 posts)

4. It happened to my best friend in the state of Missouri near

Sat Oct 6, 2012, 11:50 AM

Oct 2012

Kansas City. She went to her doctor last May (same doctor's office she has been going to for over 15 years...and was denied) her Medicare. She has been on medicare for 3 years.

She didn't read what her new supplement meant (she is retired from AT & T --well, from Lucent as it changed hands back then, and just signed up for basically the cheapest one. Somehow that company absorbed her medicare and she was not able to go to the hospital 5 miles from her in Liberty, Mo and had to pay a $2500.00 deductible.

She is going to talk to my guy that talks to me every October about what I need this year.

I can't explain it much better than this, because it has been extremely confusing and definitely sent her into a deep depression.

We both go to the same Chiropractor and they said they are getting lots of people that are coming in and they cannot take their medicare because of this very thing.

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A doctor who won't take any insurance or Medicare? Yank their license, plus imprisonment. [View all] Zalatix Oct 2012 OP

Um what? Texasgal Oct 2012 #1

Nope, the op has no clue. nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #3

I know how it works if a doctor won't take any insurance and you have to pay out of pocket. Zalatix Oct 2012 #7

Maybe go to a doctor that takes your insurance? Texasgal Oct 2012 #10

And as I said, this problem is growing. So finding a doctor that takes your insurance Zalatix Oct 2012 #12

Why is it growing? Texasgal Oct 2012 #13

More doctors are also refusing Medicare. Is Medicare a greedy corporation? Zalatix Oct 2012 #14

YES. It is. Texasgal Oct 2012 #16

It's not Medicare that is greedy. Zalatix Oct 2012 #17

How about we reimburse the doctors Texasgal Oct 2012 #21

Yes, we should reimburse doctors decently. Zalatix Oct 2012 #62

I understand, but you cannot throw a doctor Texasgal Oct 2012 #69

i concede on the jail part. Zalatix Oct 2012 #91

the poor don't get medicare unless they're disabled. You have spent the last few days here notadmblnd Oct 2012 #98

One, I don't EVER give up. Two you just got discredited Zalatix Oct 2012 #100

PLUS, the disabled don't qualify for 2 YEARS Glitterati Oct 2012 #105

I never said all Drs take Medicare notadmblnd Oct 2012 #117

No one said you did. Confused much? Zalatix Oct 2012 #119

haha :-) crazyjoe Oct 2012 #168

CREATE MORE MEDICAL SCOOLS! Getting into medical school is very competitive and there Auntie Bush Oct 2012 #170

Good luck finding people that will go through 4 years of undergrad Biology, Pacafishmate Oct 2012 #216

You are wrong about insurance, but not Medicare. Daemonaquila Oct 2012 #24

Well, the problem is that poor folks with HMO plans are the ones who suffer the most. Zalatix Oct 2012 #27

You think you can force people into working as doctors, taking certain things as payment? Honeycombe8 Oct 2012 #66

Yes, I know, people won't want to be doctors. Zalatix Oct 2012 #81

I don't know what you do for a living, but let's say WE decide WE don't like how YOU are Honeycombe8 Oct 2012 #122

#1, I wasn't cussing at you. #2 do you realize how much cussing goes on around here? Zalatix Oct 2012 #135

The times I've needed to take a car in for repair after an accident, SheilaT Oct 2012 #110

I called ins. co. to clear the co. I chose....took my car in...the body shop handled Honeycombe8 Oct 2012 #125

No, what I'm saying is that there are people who can't find doctors who'll take their insurance or Zalatix Oct 2012 #149

That's the same thing. Honeycombe8 Oct 2012 #160

You do not believe that the situation exists? That's the problem right there. Zalatix Oct 2012 #182

That is Medicare or Medicaid. Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #184

Medicare and Medicaid are medical insurance. Zalatix Oct 2012 #185

Medicare and Medicaid are government programs. Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #187

It would be a problem even without Obamacare. Zalatix Oct 2012 #189

I'm not arguing that it is not a problem with Medicare/Medicaid Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #190

Go to a different doctor. One that takes your insurance. It is not rocket science. MADem Oct 2012 #111

My GP doesn't take insurance, not even Medicare. Pab Sungenis Oct 2012 #126

And if you yank that doctor's license, they don't provide care either Telly Savalas Oct 2012 #162

I am sorry but first, you think this doctor nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #2

It happened to my best friend in the state of Missouri near onecent Oct 2012 #4

That is not exactly what the OP is talking about nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #5

Doctors should not be allowed to refuse ALL insurance, especially not Medicare. Zalatix Oct 2012 #9

So you want a medical office to close up shop nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #19

Well, there we go. Keep the medical office open so they can only serve the rich. Zalatix Oct 2012 #20

Most people that pay out of pocket Texasgal Oct 2012 #22

And they never will get rich making those payments. Zalatix Oct 2012 #31

You know your so called solutions are utopian at best nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #35

What was NOT factual about my above post? Zalatix Oct 2012 #39

You can't have a free lunch nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #43

Medicare for All, and what if more doctors just stop taking Medicare? Zalatix Oct 2012 #56

Look north dear nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #58

I know it's a single payor system. But what law would say the doctor HAS to take Medicare? Zalatix Oct 2012 #60

When it does it will be sudden nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #63

Until then the poor are screwed if they live in an area full of cash-only doctors. Zalatix Oct 2012 #68

Well if that is La Jolla, which is the only place that could even distantly happen nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #146

There's at least one person here Zalatix Oct 2012 #148

You are accusing me of not giving a shit? nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #165

I don't know all the details - Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #186

Look, I have I know there are issues Texasgal Oct 2012 #41

I know managed care is bleeding us slowly. I also know that if this cash-only bullshit grows Zalatix Oct 2012 #61

That's why we need healthcare reform. Texasgal Oct 2012 #73

That is exactly why we need insurance reform. Go after the insurance companies that don't uppityperson Oct 2012 #196

Rather than finding out your doctor won't take your insurance you're more apt to find out dflprincess Oct 2012 #145

Careful, you'll be accused of spouting right wing talking points. Zalatix Oct 2012 #147

for real!!! lunasun Oct 2012 #102

We should be having all sorts of related conversations matt819 Oct 2012 #97

It sounds like she signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan, MineralMan Oct 2012 #15

I think you are exactly right about Medicare Advantage, and now is the time to switch. Hoyt Oct 2012 #38

And burn their eyes out with hot pokers... on TV cthulu2016 Oct 2012 #6

I take it that you don't work in health care and don't know any doctors. MH1 Oct 2012 #8

The poor cannot afford doctors who don't take insurance. I'm not sure what's unclear about that. Zalatix Oct 2012 #11

Then up the Medicare reimbursement rate. MH1 Oct 2012 #30

Yes, very good ideas. I cannot say this loud enough. But... what do the poor people do until then? Zalatix Oct 2012 #32

Suffer Scootaloo Oct 2012 #42

Sorry, I actually have worked in the front lines of this nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #44

If we stay the course it will destroy itself when only the rich can afford care. Zalatix Oct 2012 #55

My dear why do you think reform is already under way? nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #57

So if you've been looking for a doctor who takes Medicare for 4 months, what do you do? SUFFER? Zalatix Oct 2012 #154

Your frist problem in South East San Diego is finding a doctor nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #164

Oh what a pantload. Texasgal Oct 2012 #46

Concern for those in need drips from your every word, like fresh honey. Scootaloo Oct 2012 #151

You underestimate the level of concern. The poor can just languish in limbo until GREAT REFORMS PASS Zalatix Oct 2012 #153

Ummm..okay. Texasgal Oct 2012 #155

I've read your posts. Scootaloo Oct 2012 #158

So you're going to take it out of the hide of the DOCTOR??? MH1 Oct 2012 #48

The doctors are taking it out on the hides of the PATIENTS. Zalatix Oct 2012 #53

you are WRONG backwoodsbob Oct 2012 #84

Fine. What do you propose we do about this? Zalatix Oct 2012 #85

Bullshit. Why do you hate doctors so much? MH1 Oct 2012 #109

What advice do you have for people whose Medicare coverage is being refused? Oh, I know, SUFFER. Zalatix Oct 2012 #152

He asked, "What will poor people do until then?" Scootaloo Oct 2012 #150

Find a doctor that will? Texasgal Oct 2012 #156

At least one poster here knows someone who's not been able to find a doctor for FOUR MONTHS. Zalatix Oct 2012 #157

I have another solution, which is a POLICY based one nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #176

No, the problem is that you are a very selective reader Scootaloo Oct 2012 #191

Good bye nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #202

Whatever it takes for you to evade the question, I guess Scootaloo Oct 2012 #213

This poor person has Medicaid cali Oct 2012 #50

And if your doctor refused to take Medicaid, where would you be? Zalatix Oct 2012 #54

If ifs and ands were pots and pans and all the sea were ink.... cali Oct 2012 #67

So for those who are poor and get stung with that cash-only bullshit... Zalatix Oct 2012 #77

So you have no evidence what-so-fucking-ever, honey? cali Oct 2012 #86

I've had enough of your denials, your apathy, your bogus arguments. Zalatix Oct 2012 #143

What good is taking medicare payments if they don't cover the cost? uppityperson Oct 2012 #197

I don't know much about doctors and their procedures. I do however have a relative who is a dentist. southernyankeebelle Oct 2012 #18

I am not surprised that no one responded to your post. It goes against the narrative of some DUERS. bluestate10 Oct 2012 #200

I can understand both sides. We have to find a way to take care of every one. southernyankeebelle Oct 2012 #208

What about a doctor that won't take CASH??? Manifestor_of_Light Oct 2012 #23

That is so weird treestar Oct 2012 #28

A few different kinds of businesses won't take cash these days. Honeycombe8 Oct 2012 #71

I don't do electronic cash for small purchases. SheilaT Oct 2012 #113

Meh...no big deal. I'll have a heart attack young if I let little things get to me. Honeycombe8 Oct 2012 #121

I don't believe I have ever been in a place where I'd be purchasing something and SheilaT Oct 2012 #141

No cash on premises = no armed robberies? Not that difficult to understand. (nt) Nye Bevan Oct 2012 #79

My doctors office gives a discount marlakay Oct 2012 #204

I have a better idea... cherokeeprogressive Oct 2012 #25

Insurance is only a method of payment treestar Oct 2012 #26

Many do Glitterati Oct 2012 #34

Many people do not understand that filing insurance is their responsibility... Phentex Oct 2012 #90

True. You're still paying the bill, you just have the insurance treestar Oct 2012 #103

That is not entirely correct. Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #112

One thing I've never quite understood treestar Oct 2012 #123

It is because of the negotiated fees with the insurance companies Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #137

I agree with everything but your title Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #114

sorry, no.... mike_c Oct 2012 #29

Sez the "police state" guy jberryhill Oct 2012 #33

Actually, a concept that could bring down the cost of going to the doctor - lynne Oct 2012 #36

I currently go to a dr that doesn't take insurance cpamomfromtexas Oct 2012 #37

From your first paragraph, it sounds as if it is the insurance company - not the doctor. Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #51

Neither of my DO's consider themselves mainstream. cpamomfromtexas Oct 2012 #92

There are lots of iatrogenic illnesses- Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #116

Please document your claim that a growing number of doctors won't take any insurance. Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #40

Bingo!!!! nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #45

Yeah, I am finding it very hard to believe Texasgal Oct 2012 #47

Hopefully the Gannett Company isn't a right wing media company. Zalatix Oct 2012 #59

It is. Glitterati Oct 2012 #70

The story is anecdotal reporting, Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #80

It is a problem that stared with Part D nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #167

Agreed - Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #183

I know, the other solution is do what nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #201

Ok - when we take over the world, we'll start there. Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #209

Yes, Gannet is RW and has been RW longer than FOX has existed nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #166

That's just ridiculous. Like the parallel inverse of teabag "logic" Care Acutely Oct 2012 #49

There are insurance companies JoeyT Oct 2012 #52

The cost would be prohibitive procon Oct 2012 #64

A good way to empty out medical schools and worsen the doctor shortage mainer Oct 2012 #65

As most physicians are prohibited from any kind of collective bargaining, the cbayer Oct 2012 #72

Definitely the view of a person who doesn't know jsmirman Oct 2012 #74

Not to mention filing Texasgal Oct 2012 #78

He really, really was jsmirman Oct 2012 #82

It would be helpful. bluestate10 Oct 2012 #206

All those are good ideas jsmirman Oct 2012 #214

prison?...really? backwoodsbob Oct 2012 #75

I admit, the prison thing is a bit overmuch. Zalatix Oct 2012 #83

So a doctor who just wants to practice medicine, as opposed to doing paperwork and forms, Nye Bevan Oct 2012 #76

Blame the insurance companies, not the doctors OhioChick Oct 2012 #87

Hang on folks, Obama started a program Glitterati Oct 2012 #88

Is that part of the ACA? It's a fucking genius law. Which is why I am fighting for 4 more years! Zalatix Oct 2012 #93

I honestly don't know. Glitterati Oct 2012 #95

It's through HRSA Care Acutely Oct 2012 #124

Was it enacted as part of Obamacare? Glitterati Oct 2012 #127

You're way off base matt819 Oct 2012 #89

Very VERY well said! The OP's argument is illogical... Phentex Oct 2012 #94

So to hell with the poor who can't afford this cash-for-care bullshit? Gotcha. Zalatix Oct 2012 #101

In most cases, that is it exactly Glitterati Oct 2012 #104

In the long term it's a no-brainer, we need to make sure doctors are compensated. Zalatix Oct 2012 #106

Medicare is bad, but try finding a Doctor who takes MEDICAID Glitterati Oct 2012 #107

It seems nobody here cares about that. Zalatix Oct 2012 #134

My daughter has had a chronic illness since she was 4. Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #138

You're very lucky Glitterati Oct 2012 #175

I'm sorry your dad had such challenges - Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #188

Thank you Glitterati Oct 2012 #192

I'm sure it is too late now - Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #193

Well, that's what is wrong with the ER as healthcare Glitterati Oct 2012 #194

Absolutely! Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #195

Family Practice docs went into medicine to "get rich"? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha uppityperson Oct 2012 #198

One more thing matt819 Oct 2012 #96

One of my doctors quit practicing medicine in the North East because of costs - now he works on an NotThisTime Oct 2012 #99

I'm glad we at DU don't indulge in extremism or hysteria... LadyHawkAZ Oct 2012 #108

The payment only doctor in my area charges $30/office visit Nikia Oct 2012 #115

Does he have an office staff? Blue Idaho Oct 2012 #132

I do wonder if he is making any money Nikia Oct 2012 #181

I agree Blue Idaho Oct 2012 #199

That's how I feel as well. nt Comrade_McKenzie Oct 2012 #118

I think we here in the US place too many in prison right now. nt ZombieHorde Oct 2012 #120

Say what? Indpndnt Oct 2012 #128

In reality, here is how it goes. "The doctor is not taking new patients." End of story. cr8tvlde Oct 2012 #129

This is going to be an issue going forward.... Swede Atlanta Oct 2012 #130

It has always been this way, per my memory. Honeycombe8 Oct 2012 #161

Does he take chickens? Blue Idaho Oct 2012 #131

I've never had a problem finding a doctor who takes Medicare. In fact, most of them in this POOR.... Ghost in the Machine Oct 2012 #133

Then what about post #130? Zalatix Oct 2012 #140

I didn't write post #130 Ghost in the Machine Oct 2012 #144

Doctors are licensed and regulated on a state-by-state basis, so it's not that simple. n/t porphyrian Oct 2012 #136

In Actuality the Number of Doctors NOT Taking Medicare or Insurance is Usually Overstated Indykatie Oct 2012 #139

I was referred to one like that for psychiatric care, because they had an opening. moriah Oct 2012 #142

There is a shortage of primary doctors as it is Incitatus Oct 2012 #159

If I were a GP doctor, I'd not accept insurance. Chan790 Oct 2012 #163

My doctor doesn't accept any insurance either. meaculpa2011 Oct 2012 #171

pretty friggin stupid idea.... dionysus Oct 2012 #169

My Dr. of 30 years CANCELED me last year...he no longer takes medicare or welfare patients.! Auntie Bush Oct 2012 #172

One in three doctors finished in the bottom third of his or her medical school class anyway slackmaster Oct 2012 #173

That's just not true Glitterati Oct 2012 #174

I believe it! In today's paper, there are three related articles... Phentex Oct 2012 #177

Hey, you know what, I can compromise. Post #97 actually sounds rational. Zalatix Oct 2012 #179

Well, my experience leads me where the OP went Glitterati Oct 2012 #180

who would go to them? clydefrand Oct 2012 #178

I don't agree Xipe Totec Oct 2012 #203

You are right, there has to be some give in the situation. bluestate10 Oct 2012 #207

Yup. I'm between a rock and a hard place on this one. Xipe Totec Oct 2012 #210

Um... markpkessinger Oct 2012 #205

I'm not exactly sure I want to go to someone Fla_Democrat Oct 2012 #211

HMO? Only if you pay yourself up front HockeyMom Oct 2012 #212

This message was self-deleted by its author Pacafishmate Oct 2012 #215