[hinckley buzzard]

For now they can pay cash for service anywhere (if they can afford it). One additional concern: many medicare members have additional private insurance. Those private payers consider medicare the primary coverage, so you have to file for medicare reimbursement first. Then they pick up the balance(yes there are copays in medicare--it is not all "free.") If your doctor doesn't take medicare, how are you supposed to file? And trust me, the private carrier won't be sympathetic.

[Ole Okie]

If your doctor doesn't take medicare, how are you supposed to file? And trust me, the private carrier won't be sympathetic.

Bluntly, if the doc doesn't take Medicare, you're SOL with that doctor. He won't see you in the first place.