AAFP Statement: Family Physicians Join Medicare Today Partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 19, 2004

Statement attributable to
James C. Martin, M.D.
Former AAFP Board Chair

“The American Academy of Family Physicians has joined Medicare Today, a broad-based partnership of organizations representing seniors, patients, health care providers and employers. The partnership will develop informational materials to help Medicare patients use the new benefits under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

“This partnership is very timely. We are in the midst of a transition to important new benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. This partnership can help make sure that seniors aren’t missing out on the prescription drug discounts now available.

“Why has the AAFP joined this partnership?

More than 12 times as many people are seen in primary care physicians’ offices in the United States than in hospitals.
More than 90 percent of family physicians participate in the Medicare program.
Seniors make nearly 48 million visits to family physicians each year – over one fifth of all visits to physicians by patients older than 65.
Eighty-two percent of the Medicare population has at least one chronic condition and two-thirds have more than one. Family physicians are trained to help patients with multiple chronic conditions manage their health.

“The AAFP is working to assure that the federal regulations to implement the new Medicare prescription drug benefit will allow us to provide the best medications at the least cost to our Medicare patients. We are looking forward to working with distinguished members of this partnership to help our patients get the most out of their Medicare benefits.”

Note to journalists: To interview Dr. Martin, please contact Leslie Champlin at (800) 274-2237, Ext. 5224 or by e-mail at lchampli@aafp.org.

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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 110,600 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.

Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.

To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer website, www.FamilyDoctor.org.