SGR watch

Medicare pay cut averted

■ After a nearly weeklong standoff over a payroll tax cut package containing a temporary Medicare physician payment patch, Congress approved a bill that delays the scheduled pay cut from Jan. 1 to March 1. The pay patch means physicians will continue to receive 2011 pay rates for an additional two months while lawmakers seek a compromise on a package that could last through the remainder of 2012.

TOP NEWS

Spending growth on physician services sinks to record low

■ Consumers restrained their health spending in part because of declining private coverage and greater consumer awareness of health care costs. Total spending on both office-based physicians and clinical services grew by only 2.5% in 2010, the slowest annual growth rate since 1960.

• » Data: Where consumer health dollars are spent

Free preventive visit can end in sticker shock for patients

■ Physicians are advised to communicate clearly with patients about what happens to bills when a preventive visit results in the need for acute care.

• » What services are free to insured patients?

Editor's pick

Cutting practice costs

■ With payments and collections growing tighter, every dollar a practice can cut without compromising care counts. But where do you look for savings?

• » 5 simple ways to cut medical practice costs
• » Tactics for tight times: How to keep your practice afloat
• » How to lower your medical practice's banking fees