Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Changes, changes.... Continuing We have spoken to several of our patients, with full confidentiality, about their Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits. As most of you know, these great programs have been in place for many years, and most Americans have worked very hard contributing to their funds. As we get older and require more medical attention, we might be in dire need to use these benefits to survive and lead a decent life. As I said before, after many years of participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs, I have never encountered a patient who would be fraudulent. ...'Medicare is essential for me. I have a secondary insurance as well and I have to pay for it every 2 months, but if I did not have Medicare, I would have to sell my apartment'.... ...'My wife and I worked for many, many years. Our Social Security is practically all we have. Our savings went to pay off our small house, so that we would not worry about mortgage. We worked for small firms, and they did not offer pension plans. So, we just have Social Security. We have no credit card debt and live a very modest life, so we can get by. Cutting Social Security would mean buying less and cheaper groceries or not buying some at all.... ...I do not want to be on Medicaid. I would like to go back to work and get insurance from some employer. But I have two children under the age of 5 and my day care bill would be more than I can earn. We tried it, but it did not work. They tell you that having children is good and it is, but nobody cares how you pay for their expenses..... ...I am lucky to be older and healthy. I do not really use my Medicare often. Maybe twice a year. But I was in a car accident a couple of years ago and they took me to the hospital for a day, for a head injury. Thankfully, nothing serious happened. I was out after 24 hours. The bill was over $30,000. I do not know what I would have done if I did not have Medicare.... These are just some short statements our patients made during our chats. What was very common for them all was the fact that they are all working people, currently working or now retired but working their whole life. They were randomly chosen by my staff, and none of them were directed to formulate their answers in any particular way. All patients in the discussion were very concerned about the future of their insurance plans. It was obvious that the issue was critically important to them. They were also worried about the pricing of some non-medical items like hygienic products or over-the -counter supplements. Our practice is very open to hearing directly from the patients. We want to know from them what WE can do better. But we also want to hear them out about their general healthcare concerns. In times of high insecurity, our conversations with patients seem to bring some calm to them and to us. We are their community practice for that reason as well. 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 .... Continuing We have spoken to several of our patients , with full confidentiality , about their Medicare , Medicaid , and Social Security benefits . As most of you know , these great programs have been in place for many years , and most Americans have worked very hard contributing to their funds . As we get older and require more medical attention , we might be in dire need to use these benefits to survive and lead a decent life . As I said before , after many years of participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs , I have never encountered a patient who would be fraudulent . ... ' Medicare is essential for me . I have a secondary insurance as well and I have to pay for it every 2 months , but if I did not have Medicare , I would have to sell my apartment ' .... ... ' My wife and I worked for many , many years . Our Social Security is practically all we have . Our savings went to pay off our small house , so that we would not worry about mortgage . We worked for small firms , and they did not offer pension plans . So , we just have Social Security . We have no credit card debt and live a very modest life , so we can get by . Cutting Social Security would mean buying less and cheaper groceries or not buying some at all .... ... I do not want to be on Medicaid . I would like to go back to work and get insurance from some employer . But I have two children under the age of 5 and my day care bill would be more than I can earn . We tried it , but it did not work . They tell you that having children is good and it is , but nobody cares how you pay for their expenses ..... ... I am lucky to be older and healthy . I do not really use my Medicare often . Maybe twice a year . But I was in a car accident a couple of years ago and they took me to the hospital for a day , for a head injury . Thankfully , nothing serious happened . I was out after 24 hours . The bill was over $ 30,000 . I do not know what I would have done if I did not have Medicare .... These are just some short statements our patients made during our chats . What was very common for them all was the fact that they are all working people , currently working or now retired but working their whole life . They were randomly chosen by my staff , and none of them were directed to formulate their answers in any particular way . All patients in the discussion were very concerned about the future of their insurance plans . It was obvious that the issue was critically important to them . They were also worried about the pricing of some non - medical items like hygienic products or over - the -counter supplements . Our practice is very open to hearing directly from the patients . We want to know from them what WE can do better . But we also want to hear them out about their general healthcare concerns . In times of high insecurity , our conversations with patients seem to bring some calm to them and to us . We are their community practice for that reason as well . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net