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Survey: Planned Medicare cuts may lead to decreased physician access
WASHINGTON – An online survey shows that nearly half of participating physicians are limiting the number or type of Medicare patients they treat, and 90% attribute the cause to planned Medicare cuts slated to become effective March 1.
The 985 physicians who completed the survey reported that between 21% and 60% of their patients were covered by Medicare. Ninety-two percent of physicians said they participated in Medicare in 2002, but only 79% plan on participating in 2003. Last year, 20% of physicians said they had already begun to restrict the number or type of Medicare patients they accept.
The planned Medicare cuts also led 71% of respondents to say they would initiate or continue to defer equipment purchases, reduce the number of services they offer, lay off staff or cancel plans to expand.
The survey was supported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Medical Association.