According to the American Medical News, published by the American Medical Association, Congress is considering a new policy of paying both doctors and hospitals under Medicare in one payment to treat a particular condition. This includes all office visits and procedures. The current health care reform bill would expand the proposed "bundled payment" system. Why the proposed change? Lawmakers and "other policy circles" think the Medicare fee-for-service payment system isn't working, and bundled … [Read more...] about Physicians Criticize Bundled Medicare Payment Proposal
Cardiologists Sue Sebelius
A group of cardiologists is suing Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to prevent cuts in Medicare fees for nuclear stress tests, echocardiograms, and other procedures performed in offices. (USA Today) Reimbursements for nuclear stress tests would be cut by 40 percent and echocardiograms fees by about 30 percent. Additionally, physicians would see a 21 percent reduction next March. The suit alleges that such cuts would result in cardiologists … [Read more...] about Cardiologists Sue Sebelius
Texas Register Updates: Board of Nursing Penalties, Sanctions, and Fines
The following information was obtained from the December 4 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC intends to submit amendments, effective January 1, 2010, that will modify the reimbursement methodologies in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid fee changes for Physicians and Certain Other Practitioners and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies. HHSC also will submit amendments, effective February 1, 2010, that will modify the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Board of Nursing Penalties, Sanctions, and Fines
Texas Register Updates: Contract Award, Nursing and Medical Boards
The following information was obtained from the November 27 Texas Register: Public Notices HHSC awarded contact #529-10-0021-00001 to Software Contract Solutions, Inc., to provide a resource for investigating all facets of information technology software issues that impact price, cost savings measures, risk exposure, and overall total cost of ownership. The total value of the contract will not exceed $900,000. HHSC intends to submit an amendment that will extend the rate for Mental … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Contract Award, Nursing and Medical Boards
House Stops Physician Payment Cut
The American Academy of Family Physicians predicts there will be 40,000 fewer family care physicians in 10 years, and 160,000 fewer by 2025. One proposed solution to the growing shortage is to increase residency positions for family doctors at teaching hospitals. To make matters worse, doctors face a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments in 2010. An internist quoted in CNN Money said if the cut went through, it would exceed his profits, and he'd have to lay off employees to stay in business. … [Read more...] about House Stops Physician Payment Cut
House Delays Physician Payment Cut
The American Academy of Family Physicians predicts there will be 40,000 fewer family care physicians in 10 years, and 160,000 fewer by 2025. One proposed solution to the growing shortage is to increase residency positions for family doctors at teaching hospitals. To make matters worse, doctors face a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments in 2010. An internist quoted in CNN Money said if the cut went through, it would exceed his profits, and he'd have to lay off employees to stay in business. But … [Read more...] about House Delays Physician Payment Cut
Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Changes
The following information was obtained from the November 20 issue of the Texas Register: Emergency Rules The Texas Medical Board adopted a new §180.4, concerning Operation of Program, which establishes the requirements for eligibility, referrals, drug-testing, and fees for the Physician Health Program. The board contemporaneously proposes a permanent new §180.4. See the relevant section of the Texas Register for more information. Proposed Rules HHSC proposes to adopt and repeal … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Texas Medical Board Changes
CMS: Physicians Receive $92 Million for Initiative
CMS announced incentive payments of over $92 million to physicians and other eligible professions for reporting quality-related data to Medicare under the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). (Source) CMS developed a program to give doctors an incentive for raising quality of care and for reporting to CMS. In 2007, physicians reported for a six-month period. Last year, CMS gave them the choice of reporting for six months or a year. The number of professions earning the … [Read more...] about CMS: Physicians Receive $92 Million for Initiative
Information Letters: ICF/MR, HCS, TxHmL, MRAs, and CDSAs
DADS released two information letters: ICF/MR, HCS, TxHmL, MRAs, and CDSAs: DADS notified these providers about the addition of an advance practice nurse's or a physician assistant's ability to attest to items #48-51 on the Mental Retardation/Related Condition (MR/RC) Assessment related to the Physician's Evaluation and Recommendation and to sign the MR/RC Assessment instead of the physician if delegated by the physician. Instructions are on Form 8578, Mental Retardation/Related … [Read more...] about Information Letters: ICF/MR, HCS, TxHmL, MRAs, and CDSAs
Fate of Physician-Owned Hospitals
It appears that the health-care legislation before the Senate would outlaw new physician-owned hospitals. … [Read more...] about Fate of Physician-Owned Hospitals
