[steve86]

Not too many doctors actually work for a hospital, these days, outside of interns and residents.

Again, my experience is the opposite, based on the trends of the last few years locally and in many other discussions.

Physicians are closing their practices due to onerous insurance and reporting requirements and (those who don't retire) are joining hospital-owned clinics. In my little town we have at least 10 who have done this.

In addition, no hospital in this greater region has ever turned down a Medicare patient.

[ken in texas]

Re: Hospitals not accepting Medicare patients.

Today's Dallas Morning News had an article about Physician-owned hospitals and how some are banned from accepting Medicaid and Medicare patients. This is supposedly some fallout from the (Un)Affordable Care Act.

[DustyMoment]

In addition, no hospital in this greater region has ever turned down a Medicare patient.

Based on your profile, it appears that you may be in the Left Coast area of Washington or Oregon. Given the liberal slant of the Left Coast, I'm not surprised that Medicare patients are not being turned away.

I'm in Texas anfd, increasingly, the opposite is true. I think that the trend will begin from here since this area has some of the most state-of-the-art hospitals and medical practices.

For now, we'll just have to cal this discussion a draw, but thank you for a good discussion.

FREEgards,
Dusty