Opt-out letter to my medicare patients

July 6, 2012






To all my present and future Medicare patients:



Most of you know me by now. In fact, most of you have known me for many years. As your physician, I greatly value the trust you have placed in me and I am dedicated to honoring that trust by providing you with the highest quality care and personal attention you deserve. But the healthcare system is changing, and in my opinion not for the better. Healthcare reform has made its way through the Supreme Court. But the fighting still continues. Both political parties are still battling out whether it's good law or a bad law. Honestly I am tired of being yanked back and forth between the two parties.



For many years, I have been deeply troubled by the changes that have taken place in our health care system, especially with private health insurers. Not a problem. I stopped working for them in 2008 and instead worked directly for my patients. The continued growth of my practice along with the feedback I get from my patients has proven it was the correct decision.



But there is not enough time in the day, week, month or year to wait for political parties to try to fix the healthcare system that they broke. They say they are trying to fix something, but they know nothing about how optimal healthcare is delivered. Both major political parties just keep getting in the way. So I have decided to create my own path.



So as of July 1, I have removed myself from participation with Medicare.



This is known as "Opting-out". Opting out allows me to provide the continued patient centered individualized service to all my patients regardless of their insurance. I am now free of many burdensome government regulations that not only distract from direct patient care but greatly increases its overall cost.



There is a caveat. In order to be treated by me starting July 1, 2012, it will be necessary (as dictated by Medicare) for patients covered by Medicare to sign with me a private contract. This is not a contract that I wrote. This "Medicare contract" comes directly from a Medicare template to ensure that we have a mutual understanding and respect for each other and our doctor-patient relationship.



You continue to have the freedom to choose your doctor. No one is being forced to do anything that they do not wish to do. I have made the choice, as a physician, to practice medicine in the manner in which I believe best serves my patients' healthcare needs. Continued participation in Medicare, in my opinion, interferes with my ability to perform these duties.



Here are some things that will not change:



I am still able to refer you to others that participate in Medicare.

I am still able to prescribe your medications as before.

I am still able to order lab testing and radiologic studies as before.

Medicare will still cover all outside testing and consultations that it did before

Medicare will still cover any emergency room or hospital visits

Medicare is still necessary for you to receive your care outside of my office and I will do the best I can to help you utilize your coverage.



Very little will change other than my freedom to do more and offer you more than when I was a participant in Medicare.



So what now?



If you have not already done so, I ask only that you schedule a no obligation 5-10 minute Medicare meet-n-greet at my office to review a few options that will allow us to continue to care for you, including our Optimal Wellness Plans which not only limit your financial exposure, but also provides more preventive and wellness opportunities for you. During this Medicare meet-n-greet session, you may also use this time to ask all of your questions about this transition. I deeply regret any trouble this change may cause you but to continue to serve your medical needs with the high quality I like to give, it could not be avoided. While my office policies concerning Medicare have changed, my commitment to you and to providing the highest quality care remains the same!



Please call the office to schedule a time convenient for you to review all of your options.



Thank you for your time and your confidence in me and my practice over the years. I hope to continue to earn your trust in the many years to come.







To Good Health!