How the New Healthcare Reform Law Affects Doctors and Medicare Patients

Congress’ approval of the healthcare reform bill in 2010 will induce changes in the medical profession during the next four to eight years that are as uncertain as they are inevitable. These changes will necessitate modifications not only in physician management style but also in practice organization. Of course, this book identifies these business changes and seeks to assist our readers and members in successfully dealing with them as independent practitioners, for the long-term.

To quote from the Financial Times (November 9, 2009), “With healthcare accounting for about 18 percent of expenditure in the US and representing sizeable chunks of  the economies of other countries, you might expect the industry to feature prominently in business school programs.” 

For Medicare Patients

For Medicare recipients on the other hand, the new Obama Administration healthcare reform law passed on March 21st 2010, expands benefits in two ways.

The first concerns preventative care. Currently, Medicare recipients are entitled to one covered physical examination within 12 months of enrolling in the program. After that, they must pick up the tab for this service. But, starting in 2011, Medicare will pay 100% of the cost of routine annual physicals.

It also will completely cover the cost of preventative services such as glaucoma screenings for certain individuals, mammograms, pap smears and hepatitis B vaccines, according to the nonprofit Medicare Rights Center.

Here’s a quick review by The Wall Street Journal on how the new health care law affects Medicare patients:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB127095284306375351.html

As time passes, please feel free to send in your thoughts and opinions.

Fraternally,

Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA

Hope Rachel Hetico; RN, MHA

Ann Miller; RN, MHA