Seniors and the Medicare dilemma

Many senior citizens of Naperville that I have talked to recently have expressed their concerns about local doctors' reluctance to treat Medicare patients. Based on what I have learned from these folks, some doctors either do not treat Medicare recipiants at all or only see them at certain hours of the day.

Obviously, this type of medical care makes many seniors feel like second-class citizens. As usual, there are two sides to every story. Doctors not only invest a considerable amout of their time and money in the education needed to attain their degrees. Once this is completed it is much more than hanging out a shingle declaring they are now a doctor and a list of patients and dollars will drop in their laps.

Quite the contrary, much more time is required before they become established with a list of patients. At that time their investment begins to pay off both financially and in self-satisfaction of helping families.

These two legitimate stories have created a huge dilemma. Seniors do not want to be considered second-class citizens. Doctors, like all businesses, must show a profit or go out of business. If all of their patients were insured by Medicare it than becomes quite obvious what would happen.

I feel there could be a solution to this delima, and it could be started with Edward Hospital and its staff of physicians. Considering there are seven days a week, why not suggest and brainstorm ideas, such as doctors serving only Medicare patients one day a week. The rest of the week could be devoted to non-Medicare patients. It could be the start of a conversation that could produce a win-win situation.

Cy Frank

Naperville