Results from the 2003 Targeted Beneficiary Survey on Access to Physician Services Among Medicare Beneficiaries.

Reductions in the fees paid by Medicare to physicians have raised concerns that beneficiaries in some areas may have problems obtaining needed care in a timely manner. This report suggests that these reductions have not led to marked restrictions in access to care, even though the study examined geographic areas thought most likely to be experiencing difficulties. However, access problems are more common for certain subgroups that may be especially vulnerable to change, including those who had recently moved or changed insurance coverage.