A new trend in healthcare “financing” is resulting in physicians who choose to “opt out” of Medicare and Medicaid provider networks. The number one reason? Why, declining reimbursements, of course. While the promise of a fair and equitable system for patient access to care and — by extension — proper reimbursement for phsyicians giving that care have been promised by the Obama administration, many physicians are simply getting tired of waiting for that Change promised by the president on the campaign trail. The problem is compounded by patients who must scramble to find participating providers. Specialists are not immune because primary care referrals in many Medicare Advantage plans and Medicaid managed care offerings rely on those providers who stick with the government as a payer. The proverbial vicious cycle of shrunken provider access and increased patient demand contracts the healthcare economy further. | LINK

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