Really. So that’s what I’ve been doing. Slurping at the Medicare trough. That’s interesting because Medicare does not pay enough to make seeing Medicare patients worthwhile. The rest of the insured patients have to make up the difference to keep hospitals in business. When I discharge a Medicare patient from the hospital, I cannot find a pcp in the community taking new Medicare patients—they can’t afford to. I recover about 1/3 of what I bill across the board. Why don’t you tell me how you would like it if your employer suddenly told you they will only pay you 30% of what you are entitled to?
In addition, I work my butt off for every dollar I get from Medicare. Why don’t you save your scorn for the 50% of the country that slurps from the public trough without paying anything. Oh, and then I get to pay tax on the severely discounted “income” I get from Medicare. A deal at twice the price! You are right. Medicare has put me on easy street!
I guess you missed the dates “1970-2000” in my post. I remember very well when Medicare paid “usual and customary” and docs welcomed as many Medicare patients as they could get. Very few were complaining about “socialized medicine” during those years.