Most orthopedic surgeons are continuing to take on Medicare and/or Medicaid patients, according to Medscape's "Orthopedics Compensation Report 2021," published May 14.
But about one-fifth of surgeons will stop treating at least some of their Medicare/Medicaid patients and not take on new ones, or are still undecided, the survey found.
Here's how orthopedic surgeons responded to the survey:
1. I will continue taking new and current Medicare/Medicaid patients: 78 percent
2. I won't take new Medicare patients: 3 percent
3. I won't take new Medicaid patients: 3 percent
4. I will stop treating some or all of my current Medicare patients and won't take new Medicare patients: 2 percent
5. I will stop treating some or all of my current Medicaid patients and won't take new Medicaid patients: 1 percent
6. I have not yet decided: 17 percent
Note: The survey collected data from 17,903 respondents between Oct. 6, 2020, and Feb. 11, 2021.