increasingly it's possible you'll see more doctors affiliating with hospitals rather than working on their own. it's become more difficult for doctors to work on their own and the affordable care act encourages the formation of doctor/hospital organizations with the goal of fostering greater care coordination among different doctors and hospitals. recent studies show that medicare actually isn't losing doctors but the experience of patients really depends on where you live and the type of doctor you're looking for. you can get help locating a doctor near you by contacting your state health insurance counseling and assistance programs (ship). to find the ship near you visit the medicare helpful contacts page at <link> or call (800) medicare.
what if anything is being done to address the issue of many doctors opting out of medicare? . and why shouldn't the patient who is paying for medicare at least be able to recoup from medicare what medicare would have paid the doctor if he/she had continued as a participating physician? four of my physicians have opted out of medicare. mostly the only doctors that participate are employed at hospitals. i currently have medicare and a medigap policy through my former employer for drugs and certain procedures not covered by medicare.