Congress/Senate Progress on Medicare SGR Reduction
On January 28, the Senate approved legislation that will increase the federal debt limit to $1.9 trillion. Included in this legislation was a provision to reinstate "pay-go" rules mandating that Congress must offset any future increased spending with corresponding spending reductions or revenue increases. This bill also provides Congress a 5 year exemption from these pay-go rules to address the Medicare physician payment cut. However, this provision does not provide any funding. The current freeze on the 2009 Medicare conversion factor is scheduled to expire on Feb. 28. Any solution still requires House and Presidential approval.
Is there anything happening in congress this week to delay or eliminate the 21.5% cut in the phys fee schedule? Otherwise it will go into effect on 3/1/10, correct?
YES - it will go into effect on March 1.
Funny how the government cuts spending, just by short-paying those that provide services.
I wish I could do this with my providers.
Is there ANYTHING we as a group can do?