Illinois Academy of Family Physicians Statement on Medicaid payments

 Statement attributed to:  Kathleen J. Miller, MD – IAFP president

 “The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) represents over 2,100 active family physicians and 28 family medicine residency programs around the state.  Many of our physicians have struggled to pay their bills and their staffs while awaiting Medicaid reimbursement for services provided four to six months ago.   

Because of the recent announcement from Governor Rod Blagojevich, we are hopeful that our family physicians will see those long awaited payments very soon.  The previous practice of pushing off these payments caused an unfair and unmanageable burden to many doctors.  Permanent improvements to the entire Medicaid system will ultimately enable providers in Illinois to keep their doors open to Medicaid as the number of patients continues to rise.        

On average, Medicaid patients make up nearly 15 percent of the patient base for Illinois family doctors (AAFP Facts about Family Medicine, May 2005 http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/aboutus/specialty/facts/12.html)  Illinois family doctors also average another 12-15 percent of their patients covered by Medicare.  Family doctors rely heavily on government reimbursement as part of their income.   At the same time, Medicaid needs family doctors to care for their patients.   

Family physicians are the primary source of care in many urban and rural underserved areas.  In some areas of the state, family doctors are the only source of care.  They are also a significant source for jobs and business – serving as an economist engine in their communities.

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians will continue our efforts to bring access and quality health care to all in Illinois .”   

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Founded in 1947, the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians is a professional membership society dedicated to excellence in family medicine and the health and well-being of the people of Illinois .  With over 4,300 members, the IAFP represents active and retired family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students interested in primary care.