Howard Dean's wife is not a Medicare participating provider?

[BrynS728]

After reading Howard Dean's stance on healthcare reform and his comments on healthcare for the elderly, I decided to research his wife's practice to see what she is doing to help the elderly in Vermont. Apparently, not much.

According to medicare.gov's participating physician directory, (http://www4.medicare.gov/Physician/Search/PhysicianSearch.asp then search by name or location) Judith Steinberg, MD is NOT a participating provider in the Medicare program. Medicare participating providers agree to accept Medicare's approved amount as payment in full for covered services. Physicians who do not participate in the program are not restricted to Medicare approved fee amounts and may also require their elderly and/or disabled patients to file for Medicare reimbursement themselves. Many physicians have retired or otherwise left their practices in the past 12 years due to the increasing maze of confusing government rules and mountains of paperwork required to obtain reimbursement. It appears that perhaps Dr. Steinberg would rather pass these rules and paperwork on to her patients. Additionally, if the patient IS successful in correctly submitting a claim on time he or she will only be reimbursed at Medicare rates, with the non-participating provider pocketing the difference.

Considering all of "Dr. Dean's" talk regarding healthcare for the elderly and reducing their expenses, one would think that his wife, of all people, would be doing what she could to reduce the burden on her elderly patients.

[shrinkermd]

If this is verifiable, you have just won the conservative Pulitzer Prize. Bravo for the effort.

[finnman69]

bump

[CholeraJoe]

What about the Duck, himself? That's a Hannity zinger. "Governor, you talk about Medicare and healthcare for the elderly but you don't participate in Medicare. Why is that?"

[camle]

physician heal thyself?

[Pharmboy]

Wow. Excellent job (how come the crack journalists at the NY Times didn't come up with this?).


We could also call her office in Sherbourne (?) VT and see what the receptionists says when asked about accepting a new Medicare patient...

[Uncle Miltie]

SCOOP!

bump...

[Eric in the Ozarks]

A Gold Star for digging !

[TommyDale]

Although it does appear as hypocritic, I would guess that over 90% of the doctors here in North Carolina won't accept Medicare patients. It is a well-ignored fact of life that when seniors get older, they have fewer and fewer choices in doctors. The Democrats have ignored this since the start of Medicare.

[Argus]

I wonder how the good doctors also feel about medical malpractice insurance rates, brought to you by the Trial Lawyers of America, leading donor to the DNC. Maybe Howard and Senator Edwards could discuss this at the next debate.

[codercpc]

I could be wrong, but I thought I read she was a pediatrician, so there would be really no reason for her to be a Medicare provider.

Again, I may be wrong.

[Dog Gone]

And Democrats don't want their kids to attend DC public schools, but oppose vouchers.

The hypocrisy is breathtaking, but it should be expected.

[mountaineer]

When was the last time Howie even saw a patient, elderly or otherwise (not that I'd want him within 20 feet of my 79-year-old mother!)?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

If she refuses to take Title 19 (Medicaid) then this is a REALLY BIG STORY, LOU !

[Dawgmeister]

Actually, I think the patients would be covered, anyway. They just go up the street to a medicare provider. I'm not privy to the doc's test scores, but seems that her main claim to fame is not being an MD, but rather being married to Doczilla. I'm not sure I'd go to her if she worked at a free clinic.

[sirshackleton]

That is a pretty interesting development, even though I wouldn't blame her if she didn't.

[Pharmboy]

No...she's a Family Practitioner.

[BrynS728]

If this is verifiable, you have just won the conservative Pulitzer Prize. Bravo for the effort

I searched in several ways - by her zipcode, county, and her name - nothing came up for her. Unless it is an omission by the Medicare website, she's not a provider.

Thanks for the kudos! I don't post often,(hardly ever) but I read FR every day. I was nervous in posting this, but I guess it came through ok.

[codercpc]

Looks like I was wrong:(

When will I learn---Google 1st,open mouth 2nd.

Sorry for any miss information.

[roj]

When Howard Dean talks about Health Insurance, isn't that a conflict of interests? After all, he's proposing legislation to guarantee payment to his wife and friends. All people have health care it's just who pays for it. if Doctors groups are so concerned they can practice "Pro Bono" instead of being pissed off at us for not wanting to pay for someone elses insurance.