1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

**My family and I just received this email from our Dermatology office regarding big changes with Medicare. Please share:** Dear Main Line Dermatology Patients, On July 14, Medicare proposed a new policy that would severely penalize physicians who perform office visits like skin exams and any other medically necessary procedure (such as a skin biopsy or cryotherapy) during the same appointment. This policy will make it impossible for independent practices to continue to provide comprehensive care. In fact, it penalizes physicians for providing timely, high quality, and efficient care. Physician payments make up less than 8% of healthcare expenses, so even if doctors worked for free, we wouldn't even save 10% of healthcare costs. Importantly, these proposals will result in many private practices shutting down, turning to concierge or being bought out by large corporations which further drives up the cost of healthcare while compromising the quality of patient care. If your dermatologist discovers a potentially dangerous spot during your visit, you will need to book a second appointment for the biopsy rather than having it performed the same day. Likewise, if you have another skin problem such as a rash or infection, that also will have to be addressed at a separate visit under the new guidelines. It will also mean: · An additional trip to the doctor’s office · Another co-pay and additional out-of-pocket costs · More time away from work for patient and caregivers · Longer waits to receive a diagnosis and begin treatment · Greater hardship for patients who travel long distances or have transportation challenges · More expensive medical care overall Ultimately, this decision does not only jeopardize Medicare patients. If this policy goes into effect, other insurance carriers will undoubtedly follow suit. This will mean they are keeping more of our healthcare dollars for their executives and shareholders while providing fewer payments for our care. These changes will lead to a fundamental shift in the way that medical care is provided in the United States and threatens the community-based healthcare model that has long been the foundation of American medicine. Many Medicare patients travel 30 to 90 minutes to receive specialty dermatology care. Many rely on family members for transportation. Many live on fixed incomes or have mobility limitations. We should be able to receive all the medical care we need during one visit, whenever possible. Although this proposal directly affects dermatology, it will also influence all primary care and medical specialties that perform in-office procedures. Medicare policies should support timely, comprehensive patient care, not create barriers that result in additional appointments, additional costs, and unnecessary delays.