Information about our Medicare Participation in 2011-2012
October 15, 2011
Dear Patients,
The following information summarizes our Medicare Participation for 2012.
In 2012 we plan to continue to participate ONLY in the following Medicare Plans: Medicare Part B- Traditional Medicare (also called Original Medicare) Railroad Medicare Part B- Traditional or Original Medicare Both of these plans issue paper RED-WHITE & BLUE cards, that you should receive the month before your 65th birthday. Patients with Original Medicare will have no disruption in medical services. If you purchase a Medigap policy, both forms of ORIGINAL Medicare will cross the claims over for you to your supplement plan. You may also choose to purchase a Medicare Drug Plan--they are offered by many companies.
WE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS, and Patients who sign up for one of the Medicare Advantage Plans will no longer be able to be seen in our office for any reason, including medication refills.
These plans replace Original Medicare, and are sold by private insurance companies. They are promoted by some employer groups, and widely advertised in news media.Patients who have Medicare Advantage Plans may not purchase Medigap policies or drug plans. There is no guarantee that the plan, once purchased, will be offered by the company in the future, or that a patient will be able to use the insurance at the doctor or hospital of her/his choice. There are other important limitations to these plans, and patients considering giving up their ORIGINAL Medicare should carefully read their policy information, and not rely just on the sales information that is presented by the insurance companies to seniors.
It is important to know that even if your former employer offers a Medicare Advantage Plan to retirees, it is your right to keep the security of your ORIGINAL MEDICARE. You do not lose your retirement pension if you keep ORIGINAL MEDICARE. If you need information on how to sign up for ORIGINAL MEDICARE, you may call 1-800-Medicare for assistance.
In addition, the paperwork requirements placed on physicians who participate in these plans are extensive and consume valuable time and staff resources. As a small practice dedicated to quality medical care and personalized service, we are unwilling to take valuable time away from our patients and spend it on insurance company paperwork.
If you have questions about your personal situation with regards our Medicare participation, please make an appointment to be seen in the office by your doctor.In general, the questions and concerns of most patients are too complex to be answered by our staff, and best answered with a face-to- face visit with your doctor. We wish you continued good health!
Sincerely, The Physicians of Southeast Integrative Medicine Dr. Pauline M Bellecci and Dr. Robert G Lee