Akhilesh Sastry, MD

An Update from Dr. Akhilesh Sastry Regarding Medicare

Effective January 1, 2027, I will be opting out of the Medicare program. I want to share what this change means for my patients, and to reassure you that, whatever you decide, my team and I are here to make sure you keep moving through life comfortably, confidently, and on your own terms.

This was not an easy decision. Over the years, I have come to know so many of my patients not just as patients, but as parents, grandparents, travelers, and athletes, people determined to stay active and independent. That relationship is something I do not take lightly.

Here is the reality behind this decision: since 2000, Medicare reimbursement for joint replacement surgeons like me has fallen by 40 percent, even as the cost of providing care has only grown. Proposed 2027 changes add an estimated 20 percent further cut. Continuing to absorb these cuts would mean less time and attention for each patient, and that is a tradeoff I am not willing to make.

Who is affected

This change applies only to patients with traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan who receive care from me. I am the only provider at Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine opting out of Medicare. All of my colleagues continue to accept Medicare.

Patients with commercial insurance are not affected. If you have health insurance through an employer, the Marketplace, or another commercial plan, nothing about your care with me changes. We will continue to bill your insurance as usual. If you have both employer coverage and Medicare, or expect to enroll in Medicare soon, please call our office so we can review your situation with you.

What this means for Medicare patients

Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans will no longer pay for services you receive from me. Our office will not submit claims to Medicare for those visits, and you will not be able to submit claims to Medicare yourself. This does not affect your Medicare coverage anywhere else, including with any other provider in our practice. If you have surgery with me, you can still use your Medicare coverage for the costs of the hospital, surgery center, and anesthesia provider.

If you have Medicare, you have two options, and our team is here to help you choose the one that's right for you:

1. Continue your care with me through a private pay agreement. You already know my approach, my judgment, and the personal attention you receive at every visit. A private pay agreement lets our relationship continue uninterrupted: no new doctor to get to know, no retelling your history, no starting over. Under this agreement, you pay for your visits and services with me directly, out of pocket. Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare supplemental plans will not reimburse you for this care. Our office can provide a copy of the agreement and our self-pay fees.
2. Transition to another trusted provider in our practice. My colleagues continue to accept Medicare and offer the same attentive, personal standard of care you've come to expect from our practice. If you'd prefer to keep using your Medicare coverage for your orthopaedic care, we would be happy to coordinate your transition.

We're here to help

I know change can feel unsettling, especially when it touches something as personal as your health. Please call us at (603) 431-1121 with any questions. We would love to talk it through with you and help you feel completely at ease with whichever path you choose.

Thank you for the trust you've placed in me and our entire team.

Dr. Akhilesh Sastry
Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine