Another new school …
The Governor of Georgia is seeking to push a dental school at Georgia Southern University. It seems that since most dentists aren’t taking Medicaid, the solution is to build a school and have students that are working for free treat this patient population. Thoughts? (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - January 14, 2024 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: D1Bound Tags: Dental Residents and Practicing Dentists Source Type: forums

More than one NPI …
Have a couple friends who have opted out out of Medicare/Medicaid and are doing some cash pay work, but ALSO work for 501c3 clinics where they treat Medicaid patients. The facilities were fine with it (them having already opted out of Medicare), and just took out another NPI in their name [emoji2369] Is this legal? I am not very well versed in this kind of stuff so I figured I would turn to my tried and true source for all things podiatry here at SDN. I have another friend who has two NPI’s and... Read more (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - December 1, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: billBOB213 Tags: Podiatric Residents & Physicians Source Type: forums

CMS Final Rule 2024
Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule | CMS On November 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that announces finalized policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and other Medicare Part B issues, effective on or after January 1, 2024.The calendar year (CY) 2024... www.cms.gov Looks like psychotherapy did well, but CMS gave a big F*ck You to seniors and others who need neuropsych testing by lowering the RVU conversion factor by 3.4% and leavi...
Source: Student Doctor Network - November 4, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: WisNeuro Tags: Psychology [Psy.D. / Ph.D.] Source Type: forums

Pain clinic chain to pay $11.4M to settle Medicare and Medicaid fraud claims
“ The settlement also alleges Lagattuta encouraged unsuitable patients to undergo spinal cord stimulation. It describes the procedure as “an invasive surgery of last resort,” in which implants placed near the spinal cord apply low-voltage electrical pulses to nerve fibers. Lagattuta paid a psychiatrist $3,000 each month to falsely certify that every Lags Medical candidate for the procedure had no... Read more (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - July 29, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Agast Tags: Pain Medicine Source Type: forums

What are free gov benefits medical students can take advantage of
I know in some states medical students can sign up for Medicaid instead of going for the student healthcare insurance plan. Anything else? I don't think medical students can be on EBT or food stamps anymore, unfortunately. (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - June 20, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: derpman Tags: Medical Students (MD) Source Type: forums

Is Medicaid really that bad?
A primary care physician advised me to check the insurance demographics before moving to a location to open a practice. He said Medicaid pays very bad and you cannot make a living if you see these patients. If someone sees 50% Medicaid is it really that bad? Are 10 Medicaid equal to 5 private insurance? Is it state dependent? Thanks in advance. (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - June 18, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: p100 Tags: Podiatric Residents & Physicians Source Type: forums

Opting out of medicare - implications?
Hey all, I'm starting a cash only private practice when my residency ends in 6 weeks and planning on working some side gigs in the mean time. I was going to opt out of Medicare/Medicaid to be able to take these patients in my private practice, however one of the tele companies I was planning to work for requires you to be opted in. I'm in the state of Florida, I spoke with Florida Medicare and they confirmed if you are opted in as a provider that means you are opted in at all locations that... Read more (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - May 16, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: VeryOldSpice Tags: Psychiatry Source Type: forums

WAMC/school list help
Hi! I took a gap year and am now applying this cycle. Looking for advice on a school list. Any suggestions on how to improve before I apply would also be very helpful! cGPA: 3.75, sGPA: 3.65 MCAT: 522 (130/132/130/130) CT resident Asian T10 in IL ~1200 hours (EMT, some hospital volunteering with low-income patients, hospice, vaccination clinics in community clinics) ~2000 hours (published but not in an actual journal. Studying health policies that affect Medicaid... Read more (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - May 6, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: puffypuff Tags: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical Source Type: forums

Medicare Advantage rule change
At least it’s a start. These guys have been performing shamefully since Day 1. Final Rule Makes Important Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D - Medicare Rights Center This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized proposed policy changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D that may improve equity, access to care, and information for people with Medicare. At Medicare Rights, our comments were largely supportive, and we are glad to... www.medicarerights.org (So...
Source: Student Doctor Network - April 20, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: pmrmd Tags: Pain Medicine Source Type: forums

Insurances to take / not take in the office
Hi guys What’s the best way to go about this? I started my practice about 6 months ago. I’m not sure busy yet and I’ve Been getting some calls from some people w random insurances I’m not in network with. Aetna better health , “zing” Medicare etc.. I’m thinking they’re some variation of Medicaid. I don’t currently take any of these plans but I have no clue what the reimbursements are like for some of the Obamacare care plans (will never take straight Medicaid ). Thoughts on this while... Read more (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - April 9, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: thefootfixer Tags: Podiatric Residents & Physicians Source Type: forums

Cash pay for medicaid patients who's injections are denied
Does anyone know if it is a breach of your medicaid contract to offer patients a cash pay option for an injection such as a LESI or TFESI if medicaid denies the prior-authorization? For example, I just had Meridian deny a 2 level TFESI on a patient because he had a prior epidural done 8 months ago by a different doctor that didn't help. I offered the patient the option to pay cash for the injection ($300) and bypass insurance and they agreed. (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - February 19, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: AnesthesioPainologist Tags: Pain Medicine Source Type: forums

Medicaid insurance and new solo private practice
Hello! I am in the process of opening a solo psychiatric practice this summer and currently getting credentialed with some of the commercial insurers and Medicare. During this credentialing process, a blue cross blue shield agent said, "If you choose not to accept Medicaid Managed Care members, this would be for all health plans, not just for BC/BS. NYS doesn’t allow for providers to pick and choose what MMC policy they can and cannot accept, as it is all or nothing." To my... Read more (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - February 17, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: geripsyched Tags: Psychiatry Source Type: forums

Cancer in medical school
Hello I'm writing this in hope that who ever may be in my situation be inspired to stay strong. A bit of background for you, I'm a healthy 28 YO with no chronic health issues. So going into medical school I decided to use my home-state medicaid as my insurance which my school had approved (saved $3K/year). This medicaid only covers emergency and urgent care in the state of my medical school. Okay... so given the fact that I was a healthy 28 YO with no issues that all changed September of... Read more (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - January 27, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Byakkz Tags: Medical Students (DO) Source Type: forums

Safety/panic buttons in solo private practice?
Starting a small cash-pay private practice, seeing pts both virtually and in-person. I'm renting an office two days a week, located in a fancy high-rise building in a very urban HCOL town. In residency (where I saw mostly medicaid) and in some county clinics/hospitals I've worked out, I had either panic buttons in the office I worked in, or carried around a panic button thing (inpatient). I know I'll be seeing a different clientele in my private practice, but it still makes me a little... Read more (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - January 25, 2023 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: 1edyfirel Tags: Psychiatry Source Type: forums

Calling on your wisdom
Hello everyone. I plan to write a letter to the governor's office to ask for review of the Medicaid fee schedule. In brief, I'm hoping my state can have the E&M code rates increased so physicians are more incentivized to work with this population. I'm calling on everyone's wisdom here, if anyone knows of any articles showing that addressing MH needs leads to better outcomes such as lower health care costs, better outcomes in mortality and morbidity, any data to show that this is a worthy... Read more (Source: Student Doctor Network)
Source: Student Doctor Network - December 21, 2022 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: randomdoc1 Tags: Psychiatry Source Type: forums