I had an older patient who had afib and a stent and needed surgery for a malignancy. Anesthesia saw him and wanted the opinion of his cardiologist in regards to his cardiac status. The cardiologist then stated that they no longer accepted Medicare and that he would be happy to see him if he paid his usual and customary charge without any discount. Needless to say the patient could not afford it. I got on the phone and found another cardiologist who worked him up and we were able to do the surgery. Today I was walking though the parking lot and saw the cardiologist who no longer accepts Medicare. On his bumper were two stickers. "If you have Medicare, thank a Democrat" and "Change".
↧