Physician Shortage Can Worsen With Medicare Cuts

Posted by Kathy Quan Aug 19, 2006

On January 1, 2007, the proposed cuts in reimbursement to U.S. physicians for Medicare and TRICARE (military) patients will cause many physicians to make changes in their practice.

According to the AMA, nearly half of the physicians who responded to a recent survey indicated they would stop taking new Medicare and TRICARE patients.

Many indicated they might be forced to end services to Medicare and TRICARE patients already on their service as well.

In many areas seniors, diabled, and military families and retirees are already having difficulty finding physicians. These changes could only add to the problem. Read on...