Mr. Conn resubmitted Mr. Sammons' claim, and Mr. Sammons said he was surprised when Mr. Conn's office called and said he wouldn't have to appear before the judge and would only have to see a doctor, selected by Mr. Conn.

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Cahill acknowledges that a smart patient could chisel down a bill without his help, but then you'd have to see a doctor for the migraine you'd get.

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Thrilled to have arrived and still be alive, you see the doctor approaching and have a surge of confidence that you will survive.

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Protection for those over 65 is considered good if they have a 30 or 40 percent lower chance of getting sick enough to see the doctor.

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"So the producer doesn't have to make a decision, 'if I join this cooperative I can't see the doctor I have been seeing for a couple of decades, '" Oemichen said.

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Many doctors would have simply stopped seeing Medicare patients and military families if this pay cut took effect, effectively denying patients the chance to see the doctor they know and trust.

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