Medicare Private Contracting
If you are a Medicare beneficiary or if you are or will soon be eligible for Medicare,
it is important for you to understand that as of March 4, 1998 Dr. Edwards has voluntarily
removed himself from the Medicare reimbursement system. Because of this:
- If you are a Medicare beneficiary or are eligible for Medicare, you must sign a
contract with Dr. Edwards agreeing that you
will not file a claim for Medicare reimbursement for services Dr. Edwards provides to you.
- "Medigap" insurance may not reimburse you for services Dr. Edwards provides.
- Dr. Edwards may not be required to report to
CMS confidential information from your medical record as he
might if he still filed claims.
- Your fee will be Dr. Edwards' usual and customary fee for the service provided.
- This arrangement with Dr. Edwards has no effect on your
relationship with any other provider of medical services with regard to Medicare
reimbursement.
- Signing the contract in no way
obligates you to continue as a patient of Dr. Edwards. You are free to seek a different
psychiatrist at any time, and if you wish Dr. Edwards will help refer you to someone who
is qualified.
- If you wish to engage Dr. Edwards' medical services under this arrangement, you may
print out and sign the contract and bring it to your
first appointment.
- Dr. Edwards believes that physicians should have the right to contract privately
with their patients outside of Medicare on a case by case basis. If you agree and
want to make your voice heard on this issue, I suggest you contact your legislator, United Seniors Association or the American Association of Retired Persons.
- United Seniors Association has filed a
lawsuit to remove the requirement that
a physician opt out for two years. A synopsis of the initial ruling may be available at
their web site.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
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