Physicians will get a temporary reprieve from Medicare reimbursement payment cuts. Last week, President Barack Obama signed into law the Continuing Extension Act of 2010, which holds off a payment reduction through May 31, 2010. The law is retroactive to April 1, 2010. "The Administration has repeatedly stated that the formula that determines what physicians and others are paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is broken and needs to be fixed. We will continue to work with Congress to … [Read more...] about CMS News: Physician Payment Rates, Inpatient Care
Congressional Democrats Now Wary of Health Care Reform
In light of Republican Scott Brown's defeat of Democrat Martha Coakley for the late Ted Kennedy's U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts, Democrats in both houses of Congress are considering trying to pass health care reform in smaller bills rather than one large bill. During his campaign, Brown publicly opposed President Barack Obama's health care reform plan. Democrats interpreted his win as a consensus against reform as offered by Congress. Kaiser Health News has a round-up of stories from … [Read more...] about Congressional Democrats Now Wary of Health Care Reform
MedPAC Recommends Adjusted Medicare Payment Rates
MedPAC, which advises Congress on Medicare, released a set of recommendations. (Source - PDF) An excerpt: "To restore budget neutrality, the Congress should require the Secretary to fully offset increases in inpatient payments due to hospitals' documentation and coding improvements. To accomplish this, the Secretary must reduce payment rates in the inpatient prospective payment system by the same percentage (not to exceed 2 percentage points) each year in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The lower rates … [Read more...] about MedPAC Recommends Adjusted Medicare Payment Rates
CMS: Health Care Spending Rate Slowest Since 1960
CMS issued an annual report on national health care spending that showed nominal spending in the U.S. grew 4.4 percent last year, to $2.3 trillion, the slowest rate of growth since CMS started tracking health care spending in 1960. The health care spending rate in 2007 was 6.0. However, health care spending grew faster than nominal economic growth. Jonathan Blum, director of CMS's Center for Medicare Management, said the report "contains some welcome news and yet another warning sign. Health … [Read more...] about CMS: Health Care Spending Rate Slowest Since 1960
Physicians Criticize Bundled Medicare Payment Proposal
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: Drugs Benefit, Cost Sharing Changes
The following was obtained from the December 25 issue of the Texas Register: HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 09-039, Amendment Number 885, to modify the prescribed drugs benefit to extend the allowable number of refills to eleven refills when dispensed within twelve months of the date of the original prescription. For more information, contact Leslie Weems by mail at P.O. Box 13247, MC:600; by telephone at (512) 491-1331; by facsimile at (512) 491-1953; or by e-mail at … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Drugs Benefit, Cost Sharing Changes
Providers Fought Medicare Buy-In
Last week, the Senate debated whether to reduce the age eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 55. Leading the charge against the expansion was Senator Joe Lieberman. The proposal was defeated. The American Hospital Association and the Federation of American Hospitals opposed expanding Medicare, and the groups lobbied lawmakers reluctant to vote for it. Lobbyists and lawmakers who opposed the buy-in were concerned an expansion would exacerbate provider shortages in states with low reimbursement … [Read more...] about Providers Fought Medicare Buy-In
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
