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4 Min Read

Why permanent SGR repeal lost to another temporary payment patch

I posed an important question in an AMA Viewpoints post two weeks ago: Would the bipartisan legislative policy for repealing Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula turn into a missed opportunity? For Congress, it certainly did. For physicians, the story is more complicated.

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Leadership
Leadership Viewpoints
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2 Min Read

Casting aside reform bill, Congress passes another Medicare patch

The U.S. Senate Monday evening voted in favor of yet another temporary measure in a long line of Medicare payment patches, casting aside broadly supported legislative policy that instead would have reformed the Medicare payment update system.

Medicare & Medicaid
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3 Min Read

Meaningful use exemption added as EHR program moves forward

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced an addition to its hardship exemptions available to physicians who are unable to demonstrate meaningful use of electronic health records (EHR).

Medicare & Medicaid
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2 Min Read

House resorts to "trickery" in passing unwanted Medicare patch

In a move that is being called an “outrageous” ploy, the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday used a voice vote—absent the majority of representatives—to pass a Medicare payment patch strongly opposed by physician groups. 

Medicare & Medicaid
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2 Min Read

Act now before Medicare patch expires, AMA tells Senate

As the March 31 deadline for reforming Medicare’s broken payment update system draws near, the AMA sent a letter Wednesday to the U.S. Senate, calling on Congress to work across party lines to eliminate the sustainable growth rate (SGR) payment formula while there’s still time.  

Medicare & Medicaid
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1 Min Read

How Medicare cuts threaten access to care in Michigan

Unless Congress repeals Medicare’s flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula by March 31, Michigan physicians face a 24 percent cut to payments for Medicare claims.

Medicare & Medicaid
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3 Min Read

Will SGR repeal legislation turn into a missed opportunity?

Congress made tremendous progress over the past year as lawmakers worked together across chambers to craft bipartisan legislation to reform Medicare’s failing payment system. But recent partisan tactics could prevent repeal of the sustainable growth rate payment formula from crossing the finish line, even as the March 31 deadline approaches.

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Leadership
Leadership Viewpoints
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2 Min Read

What med students should know about SGR

Unless Congress repeals Medicare's flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula by March 31, physicians face pay cuts and consequences—and medical students aren't immune. Patients in many areas of the country already face problems getting physician care, but this will worsen unless Congress acts.

Medicare & Medicaid
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1 Min Read

How Medicare cuts threaten access to care in Virginia

Unless Congress repeals Medicare's flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula by March 31, Virginia physicians face a 24 percent cut to payments for Medicare claims. If the cut happens, consequences for the state include: - The average physician would get a cut of $17,000. ...

Medicare & Medicaid