Meredythe Flynn: Doctors turning down new Medicare patients

From Molly Janczyk, October 12, 2009
Subject: Greg Nickell: The new Medicare plan

Greg, What can you tell us about this dismal situation?

From Meredythe Flynn, October 12, 2009
Subject: The new Medicare plan

Molly,

I work full time and will not be able to attend STRS or CORE meetings until I have more time. I just want to share the Medicare Advantage saga as handled by Aetna. The total represents only 2 of us who are trying to find new internists. I have made 22 calls to those people who recommend their doctor as great: only 1 accepts a new Medicare patient. The first question asked is "What insurance do you have?" The answer has been "We are not accepting any more Medicare patients." My friend has the same batting average.

Anyone over 65 has been sold out. If we get no medical treatment, think of the savings for Aetna. What a perfect deal for STRS if we somehow quit this and get our own if such a thing is possible. I now recognize without any effort whatsoever to be nice or understanding that they are all rotten to the core.

Meredythe A. Flynn