Service Aids Elderly With Medicare List

Some elderly San Diegans will receive help finding doctors who accept Medicare payments as full compensation for services under a program begun this month by the San Diego Medical Society.

Called Senior Access, the program has enlisted 1,500 physicians who have agreed to be put on a list of doctors who accept Medicare payment as reimbursement-in-full for services.

This eliminates the possibility of the patient being billed for any extra charges.

Many doctors already accept Medicare assignment, and will continue to do so regardless of membership in the Senior Access program. But the medical society program will make it easier for Medicare patients to find such doctors, the society says.

To qualify for Senior Access, applicants can have an annual income of no more than $14,999 for a single person, or $20,999 for a couple. Applications can be obtained from the society by calling 565-8888.