Update and Call to Action on SGR Legislation URGENT

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Update and Call to Action on SGR Legislation URGENT

 

((Following is an update and analysis of the SGR patch bill who passed the House of Representatives yesterday and will be heading to the Senate, most likely for a Monday vote.  While my initial impression of this legislation was that it was better than nothing, major physicians' groups do not agree to a 17th patch, when repeal of the flawed SGR formula was in sight, so they are urging members to urge their US Senators to vote NO on this bill.....DBR))

 

 

From the AMA:

Yesterday, through a very unusual procedural maneuver, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4302, the “Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014,” on a voice vote when few Representatives were on the floor.

This legislation, if approved by the Senate on Monday, represents the 17^th temporary “patch” to Medicare physician payments—delaying the next SGR induced cut and maintaining current rates until April 1, 2015.

Press reports and a very short video capturing the House action can be viewed at http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/03/27/real-life-house-of-cards-in-house-of-representatives/ and http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/secret-doc-fix-deal-angers-rank-and-file-video/.

The AMA and a substantial majority of state medical societies and national specialty societies urged the House to vote “no” on the bill. The AMA’s statement following the House action can be viewed at http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/news/news/2014/2014-03-27-house-vote-to-patch-sgr.page.

The $21 billion bill also includes a broad array of the usual “extenders” as well as a number of policy changes to offset its cost. Some of the notable provisions of H.R. 4302 include:

            The geographic adjustment (GPCI) “floor” of 1.0 for physician work in the Medicare fee schedule would be extended for 12 month

             Implementation of the ICD-10 diagnosis coding set would be delayed one year, until October 1, 2015.

            The Secretary would have discretion to continue suspending RAC post-payment audits under the “2-Midnight” policy through June 2015. 

            Annual targets of 0.5 percent in savings from misvalued Medicare physician payment schedule services would be established from 2017 through 2020, for an estimated savings of $4.0 billion.    

            Revisions to the payment system for diagnostic tests and the laboratory fee schedule, based on market-based private sector rates, would be made for an estimated savings of $2.5 billion.

            Payments for using CT equipment that does not meet certain dosage standards and implementation of appropriate use criteria for advanced imaging services would save an estimated $0.2 billion.

            Revisions to the Medicare sequester in 2024 that effectively amplify the sequester’s impact on all Medicare providers in that year would save an estimated $4.9 billion.

Attention now turns to the Senate, where a floor vote on H.R. 4302 has been scheduled for Monday evening.

The AMA continues to oppose the bill, and the attached letter was sent to all Senators today asking them to vote against it. We urge all members of the Federation to do the same. A copy of our current grassroots message is also attached.

Throughout 2013 and into this year, hard work by both Republicans and Democrats produced serious momentum toward a long-awaited policy framework to repeal Medicare's fatally flawed SGR formula. Their hard work brought Congress closer than ever to repealing the SGR formula and putting Medicare on the path toward a stable, 21st-century program that can meet the growing health care needs of the nation's seniors. Unfortunately, the U.S. House of Representatives has now rushed through legislation that would only apply a temporary patch to this ongoing problem instead of fully repealing it. This temporary patch bill, H.R. 4302, now moves to the U.S. Senate and, if it passes, Congress will only be making it harder to permanently repeal SGR and protect Medicare access for the millions who rely on it every day. It's critical that those who truly want a permanent fix for Medicare contact their U.S. Senators and urge them to VOTE NO on this temporary patch they are now considering. Call your U.S. Senators using the AMA’s toll-free Grassroots Hotline at (800) 833-6354! H.R. 4302 is just another temporary patch to the SGR problem that Medicare needs permanently solved. Call your Senators today at (800) 833-6354 and send them an urgent email message. No more temporary patches...no more excuses...it’s time to repeal the SGR once and for all. For more information, please visit: http://www.ama-assn.org/go/grassroots http://www.ampaconline.org