You might think that achieving good health starts with a visit to the doctor, but with the looming medical crisis in the US, you may find it harder and harder to access the healthcare you need. So, if you want to avoid being one of the millions struggling to receive adequate care, begin taking responsibility for your health and wellness with proactive measures.
Facing a Shortage of Physicians
The growing population and an increasing number of elderly citizens mean that there will be a shortage of 90,000 doctors in the US over the next decade, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Healthcare reforms that aim to provide coverage to at least 32 million more Americans, as well as the 15 million patients soon to be eligible for Medicare, will exacerbate the already strained health system. This growth in demand will leave many struggling to find the care they need.
Aging Population with Increasing Healthcare Needs
As mentioned in the book Navigating Obamacare, an aging population means that people are living longer and experiencing age-related health conditions, such as cancer, that require the attention of specialists and surgeons. The AAMC’s Center for Workforce Studies predicts that the US will see a shortfall of 45,000 primary care physicians and a shortage of 46,000 specialists and surgeons in the next decade.
Doctors looking to retire early due to their dissatisfaction with the trajectory of healthcare in America only add to this issue. The Deloitte Center for Health Solutions surveyed over 600 physicians, finding that 62% of them believed many of their peers would retire earlier than expected in the next one to three years.
Difficulty Receiving Care Through Medicaid and Medicare
If you are on Medicare or Medicaid, or will be part of the expansion of these programs, you might struggle even more to find a doctor. HealthPocket, a technology firm that compares and ranks health plans, discovered that out of more than 1 million physicians, therapists, and counselors nationwide, merely 43% currently accept Medicaid. As 26 states and the District of Columbia have opted to participate in the Medicaid expansion of Obamacare, an estimated 5 to 8 million new patients will gain access to Medicaid coverage under the law.
This influx of patients could cause difficulty in finding timely, accessible care through Medicaid. HealthPocket’s research and data expert, Kev Coleman, cautioned that, “timely access to care for those relying on Medicaid is likely to become more difficult as enrollees compete for an already inadequate pool of doctors.”
Doctors Turning Away Medicaid Patients
Physicians are increasingly refusing to treat Medicaid patients because of the low-pay and excessive paperwork associated with these programs. On average, Medicaid physicians receive only 56% of the pay that private insurance offers. Lower payment rates have already deterred many doctors from accepting Medicaid, leading to accessibility difficulties and overcrowding in emergency rooms. As more people join Medicaid, the growth in patient numbers will likely increase the burden on doctors, forcing them to either drop their Medicaid patients altogether or accept even more patients at lower payment rates.
These issues have not gone unnoticed by the medical community, with doctors understandably growing more concerned about the future of their practice. Moreover, the red tape now surrounding the healthcare industry is becoming a burden as doctors’ time is increasingly absorbed by paperwork rather than the specific needs of their patients.
The proposed solution through Obamacare to increase Medicaid primary care payments to the same level as Medicare in 2013 and 2014 has been delayed, which further alienates participating doctors. Ultimately, many doctors are simply cutting ties with Medicaid and Medicare patients before this unpredictable situation causes their practices further strain.
The Importance of Self-Care
The message to take from these healthcare system changes is clear: it’s time for self-reliance as far as your health is concerned. To ensure you have the best chance of receiving adequate healthcare, be proactive about adopting a healthy lifestyle with a nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise, and effective stress-management strategies. By focusing on maintaining good health and well-being, you can potentially avoid joining the millions of patients struggling to access the medical care they need.
