Another Bandaid for the SGR issue
The House of Representatives just passed the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010 (H.R. 3962) by a vote of 417 to 1. This legislation contains provisions that block the 21.3 percent cut to Medicare physician payments until Nov. 30. The Senate passed identical legislation late last week. The president is expected to sign the bill into law shortly. Practices will then see a 2.2 percent increase to Medicare physician payment for claims with dates of service from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Why can’t the Obama Administration get this right and fix the underlying reimbursement problems asociated with the SGR? With the large number of uninsured that will now be insured under the new Obamacare plan we will need all healthcare providers, MDs, RNs, PAs, etc. in the sytem and productive to meet the increased demand anticipated. Any reimbursement changes that have the impact that the SGR could, would drive providers out of the sytem in great numbers. Let’s fix the SGR problem once and for all.
Senate to debate new 6-month Medicare physician payment provision
Last night, Senate Democratic leaders introduced a substitute amendment to the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R. 4213) that includes a provision calling for a 2.2 percent increase to Medicare physician payment for claims with dates of service of June 1 through Nov. 30, 2010.
The Senate was unable to bring the House-approved version of this legislation to the Senate floor for debate following a failed procedural vote yesterday. In late May, the House of Representatives passed legislation approving a 2.2 percent increase to Medicare physician payment rates for the remainder of 2010 and a 1 percent increase in 2011. In 2012, the payment levels would revert to current law, forcing physicians to confront an estimated 33 percent reduction.
The Senate may hold votes as early as today, however debate on this bill may continue late into the week before final votes are held. If the Senate approves the substitute amendment, the House of Representatives must still pass the underlying tax extenders bill before it becomes law. If the bill is signed into law, the pending Medicare physician payment cuts would then be scheduled to take effect on Dec. 1, 2010.
