Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Changes, changes, and more changes.... I do not dislike changes in my professional life. I am used to the fact that medicine has never been constant. It is normal to expect progress in science and medical science is no different. All of us want a better life. Don't you think about a better car, bigger house, faster computer, newer fridge, and more? It is totally normal and expected to desire and look forward to better things that possibly make a difference in our life. And we make plans, save money, establish goals. All of it can be destroyed within a minute if we experience any serious health issue. When it comes to the health of our loved ones or our own, a new car or more modern phone do not matter. Everything loses its value if we get sick. What matters then is how quickly we can find a doctor, test, medicine to help. But what if we do not have insurance and do not have money? Well, then, we experience this unbelievable tragedy of getting sicker or even dying. I do not like changes in medical insurance. Not only they always hurt my patients, who do not understand why their bills are not covered. They hurt my patients even more when the benefits of health insurance are limited or taken away. You might know that Arlington Dermatology has been my practice for more than 20 years and we always accepted Medicare and Medicaid patients. As a matter of fact, we are the only dermatology clinic accepting Medicaid in the entire west and northwest suburban areas. Our patients come from as far as Rockford and northern Illinois on the Wisconsin border. In our research team, we see patients from Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin. We are one of a very few specialty clinics welcoming Medicare patients. Yes, we make less money than the practices rejecting these patients. Yes, we have to work longer hours and see more patients instead of playing golf. But this is who we are: community dermatology practice. And we will never be otherwise. And what is the most important message, in all those years, we have never, ever encountered any fraud. Not a single patient in Medicare or Medicaid presented a fake ID card, not a single one of them faked a medical problem or came here with no medical need. Contrary, most of our patients had some serious and chronic problems for a long time before they found us. And yes, when they have chronic issues, which is very frequent, they have to continue coming. So, when I hear about some possible upcoming changes to Medicare and Medicaid coverage, I get angry. How can I remind everyone that we do not pick to get sick? It happens to poor people and rich people. And if you do not get proper medical care, not only will it cost more, but you may be risking your life. There is no massive fraud from patients in Medicare and Medicaid. If there is fraud, it comes from dishonest providers, who bill for services that did not happen or for people who were never seen. The solution is to extend services and control fraud from the providers side and not by limiting patients access to these insurances. How can it be more clear? I do not like these changes. They have nothing to do with progress or a better life. They are damaging to people and their life. They are unethical. In the upcoming weeks, I am planning to talk to some of my Medicare and Medicaid patients and share with you what they say about their opinions. Please, continue reading.... Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Changes , changes , and more changes .... I do not dislike changes in my professional life . I am used to the fact that medicine has never been constant . It is normal to expect progress in science and medical science is no different . All of us want a better life . Don't you think about a better car , bigger house , faster computer , newer fridge , and more ? It is totally normal and expected to desire and look forward to better things that possibly make a difference in our life . And we make plans , save money , establish goals . All of it can be destroyed within a minute if we experience any serious health issue . When it comes to the health of our loved ones or our own , a new car or more modern phone do not matter . Everything loses its value if we get sick . What matters then is how quickly we can find a doctor , test , medicine to help . But what if we do not have insurance and do not have money ? Well , then , we experience this unbelievable tragedy of getting sicker or even dying . I do not like changes in medical insurance . Not only they always hurt my patients , who do not understand why their bills are not covered . They hurt my patients even more when the benefits of health insurance are limited or taken away . You might know that Arlington Dermatology has been my practice for more than 20 years and we always accepted Medicare and Medicaid patients . As a matter of fact , we are the only dermatology clinic accepting Medicaid in the entire west and northwest suburban areas . Our patients come from as far as Rockford and northern Illinois on the Wisconsin border . In our research team , we see patients from Iowa , Indiana , and Wisconsin . We are one of a very few specialty clinics welcoming Medicare patients . Yes , we make less money than the practices rejecting these patients . Yes , we have to work longer hours and see more patients instead of playing golf . But this is who we are : community dermatology practice . And we will never be otherwise . And what is the most important message , in all those years , we have never , ever encountered any fraud . Not a single patient in Medicare or Medicaid presented a fake ID card , not a single one of them faked a medical problem or came here with no medical need . Contrary , most of our patients had some serious and chronic problems for a long time before they found us . And yes , when they have chronic issues , which is very frequent , they have to continue coming . So , when I hear about some possible upcoming changes to Medicare and Medicaid coverage , I get angry . How can I remind everyone that we do not pick to get sick ? It happens to poor people and rich people . And if you do not get proper medical care , not only will it cost more , but you may be risking your life . There is no massive fraud from patients in Medicare and Medicaid . If there is fraud , it comes from dishonest providers , who bill for services that did not happen or for people who were never seen . The solution is to extend services and control fraud from the providers side and not by limiting patients access to these insurances . How can it be more clear ? I do not like these changes . They have nothing to do with progress or a better life . They are damaging to people and their life . They are unethical . In the upcoming weeks , I am planning to talk to some of my Medicare and Medicaid patients and share with you what they say about their opinions . Please , continue reading .... Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net