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Connecticut Physicians Limit Nursing Home Availability

Wed, 03/28/2001 - 1:00am — Karen Stevenson
Description: 

Andrew Julien of The Hartford Courant reports that physicians in Connecticut are becoming reluctant to provide care to low-income nursing home patients. The problem is that the doctors only receive 80% of the regular Medicare payment for that visit. Generally, physicians receive the other 20% as a co-payment from the patient, but when the patient is on Medicaid, which most nursing home residents are, doctors are not allowed to bill the patient. The state used to make up the difference, but quit doing so two years ago.

Andrew Julien of The Hartford Courant reports that physicians in Connecticut are becoming reluctant to provide care to low-income nursing home patients. The problem is that the doctors only receive 80% of the regular Medicare payment for that visit. Generally, physicians receive the other 20% as a co-payment from the patient, but when the patient is on Medicaid, which most nursing home residents are, doctors are not allowed to bill the patient. The state used to make up the difference, but quit doing so two years ago.