A piece of advice - if you need the services of ANY specialist, no matter how slight, go to them at least once while covered by your old insurance, BEFORE you get on Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.

I had great insurance (costly, but great) last year. Never had a problem getting a doctor. Now I have a Medicare Advantage plan. My doctor's office called every rheumatologist on the plan at two hospitals - NONE take NEW patients with a fibromyalgia diagnosis. Had I only known I needed to see them while on my OLD PLAN, I wouldn't be having this problem, because I wouldn't have been a new patient. Apparently, more and more doctors each year are refusing to take on new Medicare patients. I thought the fact it was a well known "Blue Cross" plan would make a difference - NOT. I'll get the nurse to start on another hospital's doctor list tomorrow and see what happens.

Anyone have ideas of how to overcome this barrier?

Unfortunately, alot of doctors are dropping Medicare because it does not reimburse much. The doctors that do are probably inundated with patients.

Fed govt also just changed the law not covering for mistakes etc. Every surgery/procedure has risks for complications, especially if it's an older patient with other issues - ie: diabetes. So, I am sure even more doctors will be dropping Medicare in the near future.

It's a shame b/c I believe our govt should take care of our elderly, but as a nurse, I also see the risk for the physician. I've also seen the reimbursement and after a 5 hour surgery, it's a shame what they even DO cover. I would advise getting a secondary. I have my grandmother on BC/BS but there are many out there.