Medicare and participating physicians: physician election of "participation" status under Medicare.

The purpose of this paper is to assist physicians in making Medicare participation decisions for the coming period of October 1, 1985, to September 30, 1986. This paper will describe the participation program, its operation, and the potential advantages and disadvantages of a participation election. The paper concludes that, while it may be advantageous for some physicians to be identified as "participating" in Medicare, this is an individual decision that should only be made upon a careful examination of many factors.