Contact: Kathryn Serkes (202) 333-3855

FOR RELEASE FRIDAY, FEB 4, 2000:

Senior citizens are having trouble finding doctors to treat them. The reasons? Stepped-up threats of prosecution of doctors and government red-tape.

That is the troubling finding of a national survey of doctors conducted by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) released today. The survey shows that Medicare regulations and recent increased government crack down on so-called "fraudulent" billings touted as "patient protections" are actually responsible for severely restricting patients' access to medical care.

The mail survey of 331 physicians conducted in July of last year supports four conclusions:

1. Increased fear of prosecution or government retaliation has had a negative impact patients' access to doctors and their ability to receive certain services such as surgery;

2. Compliance with Medicare regulations takes a significant amount of doctor's time away from patient care;

3. Unrestricted private contracting under Medicare would greatly increase doctors' willingness to treat Medicare patient;

4. The government's increased role in medicine and increased fraud efforts is likely to result in more difficulty for all patients to access care, not just those who are Medicare- eligible.

"This study is concrete documentation of the atmosphere of fear in which doctor practice today," said Jane M. Orient, M.D., Executive Director of AAPS. "Money is not the issue -- it's the government in the examining room. More doctors would rather treat uninsured patients, possibly for free, than risk being prosecuted as a 'Medicare cheat.' "

For a detailed report and the survey questions, please click on Medicare Survey Report. Some of the findings supporting the conclusions include:

FEAR OF PROSECUTION & IMPACT ON PATIENTS

• More than three-fourths (82%) report increased fear of prosecution or investigation in the past 3 years;

• 71% report making changes in their practice to avoid threat of prosecution, including greatly restricting services, i.e. more than one-third (34%) of all respondents restrict services to Medicare patients, such as surgery.

• 20% report they do not accept new Medicare patients because of hassles and/or threats from Medicare. (Only 16% cite fees)

• Almost one-fourth (23%) DO NOT accept new Medicare patients. Of those who do, 9% do so only under special circumstances;

• More than one-third (34%) have difficulty finding referring physicians for their Medicare patients;

• 22% of doctors' and staff total time is spendt on compliance with Medicare regulations Medicare claims cost 26% more to process than private claims.

• 66% plan to retire from patient care at an earlier age than they would have considered 5 years ago. The leading reasons: Increased hassles with Medicare, and increased government interference.

IMPACT OF PRIVATE CONTRACTING

• 64% would be more willing to serve Medicare patients if private contracting were expanded.

"The survey comments indicate a growing send of frustration and helplessness with the direction of the practice of medicine," said Dr. Orient.

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Links

• Detailed Report and Survey Questions
• Press Release: AAPS Doctors Respond to Clinton's Medicare "Fraud" Fighters Plan - 01/26/2000