PFFS, Private Fee For Service Insurance is being sold to the American people and it's a mistake. Medicare is selling it as an option, avoid having to deal with "network" physicians and see whomever you like. The way it works is that consumers pay more (either in co-pay, premium) and in return consumers can choose their provider, any Medicare provider is "deemed" a participant. Sounds good to many of us. But in an August article in http://physiciansnews.com/discussion.html#post, the issues are clearly presented for what will come up next. While MEDICARE and PRIVATE INSURERS are selling consumers on choice, PHYSICIANS are being warned that the only way out of becoming a PFFS provider is to turn away patients with such insurance. The article explains: "However, when a physician chooses to furnish services to a PFFS enrollee and the deeming conditions have been met, the provider must follow the PFFS plan’s terms and conditions of participation". Later the article states: "Problems have occurred when PFFS enrollees face higher than expected co-payment obligations, and when providers turn PFFS enrollees away often because of a lack of understanding of the PFFS payment rules."
Consumer groups need to address that everyone is grabbing for $. It is irresponsible for advocates for seniors to ignore the reaction to plans that will charge more money to individuals and "empower" them to be turned away by doctors who do not choose to treat PFFS enrollees because of "confusion" or any other ridiculous excuse. These groups need to make lists available to individuals of US physicians who OPT OUT of participating.
