The uncertain future of Medicare payment rates might be playing a role in physician participation with the Medicare program.
I spoke with American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) President Lori Heim, MD, today and she mentioned 87% of AAFP members were Medicare participating providers in 2009. That's down five percentage points from 92% of its members with par-status in 2008. She added she's hearing more and more physicians are making the tough decision to not take on new Medicare patients, too.
"It's impossible to run a business when you don't know what your revenue stream is going to be," Dr. Heim said.