Health Policy Memo > Physician Payment
Tell Congress to Support Key Medicare Legislation
June 19, 2008
As the June 30 deadline for legislative action approaches, ASNC and other physician groups continue to fight hard and push for Congress to stop the 10.6 percent Medicare physician payment cut scheduled to take effect July 1, 2008. In early June, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) introduced S.3101, the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.” This bill:
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Includes an extension of the 0.5 percent update currently in place for the remaining half of 2008
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Provides an additional 1.1 percent update for the year 2009
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Extends the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) for two years and provides a 2 percent bonus for physicians who report PQRI measures in 2009 and 2010
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Requires that suppliers (physician, practitioner, facility or other entity that furnishes Medicare items/services) performing advanced diagnostic imaging services (MRI, PET, CT, and nuclear medicine) be accredited by January 1, 2012 to be eligible for the technical component of Medicare payment for imaging studies
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Establishes a two-year voluntary demonstration program to determine whether physician compliance with appropriateness criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging services affects utilization and quality. (Under the demonstration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cannot require prior authorization as a model for collecting data regarding physician compliance with appropriateness criteria.)
Of further importance to ASNC members, the Medicare Improvements Act does not include new payment cuts to imaging services. Unfortunately, the Senate vote on the motion to move forward with the Baucus legislation failed because many Republicans remain concerned with the offsets provided to cover the high-priced legislation and provisions related to beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Senate Finance Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released alternative Medicare legislation containing almost identical physician policies as the Baucus package. One additional provision in Senator Grassley’s legislation is an imaging ownership disclosure requirement.
ASNC continues to support both Senators Baucus and Grassley in their efforts to stabilize physician payment for 18 months, while also helping ensure quality care for patients. All ASNC members are strongly encouraged to contact their senators and representatives and urge them to support an 18-month positive update in physician payments, while opposing any cuts to physician services such as medical imaging. With time running out, it is more important than ever that Congress hear your concerns with the looming 10.6% payment cuts.
Thank you in advance for taking action.
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