House, Senate Budget Deal Lacks Provision To Avert Medicare Pay Cuts Congressional leaders reached a budget agreement to avoid a government shutdown through the first quarter of 2013, but the deal does not include adjusting or repealing the sustainable growth-rate Medicare payment formula, which will require a 27 percent cut in payments to Medicare physicians next year. August 1, 2012 Medicare, News Medicare SGR, SGR 0 0 Comment Read More »
Electronic Remittance Advice Enhancements Under the new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) version 5010 standards, the electronic remittance advice (ERA) transaction has been enhanced to include such information as a patient’s coverage expiration date and the claim received date. July 31, 2012 HIPAA, Medicare, News electronic remittance advice, Version 5010, ERA 0 0 Comment Read More »
Lawmakers Warned of Dwindling Solo Medical Practices Health system reform may be driving some of the decline, but some say medical homes and accountable care organizations offer new opportunities for small groups. Physicians and health analysts testified to lawmakers that growing evidence shows doctors are shutting down their small private practices to join larger health organizations due to administrative, payment, and medical liability pressures — and that health system reform may be playing a part. July 30, 2012 Health Care Reform, News health care reform, solo medical practices, ACA 0 0 Comment Read More »
Legislation Offers Short Extension of Medicare Physician Payment Rates Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) has introduced legislation that would provide a one-year extension for Medicare physician payment rates. July 23, 2012 Medicare, News Medicare SGR, Michael Burgess 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMS Releases 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule; Proposes Fee Increases for Primary Care, Projects 27% SGR Cut The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule for 2013. CMS projects a 27% reduction in the Medicare FFS payment rate due to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula unless Congress acts before January 1, 2013 to stop the cut. July 10, 2012 Advocacy, Medicare, News, Payment 2013 Physician Fee Schedule, Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule, SGR 0 0 Comment Read More »