What are Medicare rates? My doctor was telling me about Medicare’s rates when I went in for a consultation. I know it has something to do with how Medicare pays my doctor. Can someone explain this further?
Medicare rates are applicable to all doctors who decide to participate in the Medicare program. Doctors who are not officially included in the Medicare providers list are also subject to the reimbursement rates if they choose to see patients under Medicare and submit claims to Medicare. However, the rates received by doctors who are not part of Medicare are significantly less than what participating doctors receive. This is one reason why several doctors refuse to see Medicare patients. In the past, Medicare reimbursement rates differed by area because the cost of living in a locality was a factor in computing the rates. It was assumed that expenditures would be less in the rural areas compared to medical costs in the metropolitan area even if the family practice was similar. This was protested by many doctors so now we currently have a uniform payment distribution of reimbursement rates. Usually, Medicare rates received by doctors and hospitals are different. Visits to the doctor’s office cost relatively less compared to the cost of staying in a hospital or receiving medical treatment in a hospital. Although being a Medicare provider sounds unappealing, a lot of doctors find it very rewarding. As a Medicare provider, the doctor has access to many Medicare patients who will have to visit the doctor more as they age. This provides a steady stream of income for some doctors. Answer by general public - July 3, 2009 @ 1:05 pm No CommentsNo comments yet. Leave a comment |
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The Medicare rates your doctor was telling you about are probably the Medicare reimbursement rates. These are the rates paid to doctors for performing certain procedures like routine checkups to individuals with health insurance plans under Medicare.
