If Congress does not act this year to resolve problems with the Medicare physician payment update formula, physicians will again be confronted with a significant reduction in payments for treating Medicare beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is projecting a sustained period of lowered payments, beginning with a reduction of at least 4.2 percent in 2004 in the update used for establishing Medicare physician fees. At the heart of the problem are long-term systemic flaws in the update formula that have led to a steady drop in physician fees that is jeopardizing access to healthcare services for all Medicare patients.
AMC/NOMA has sent letters to Ohio Senators and Representatives urging Congress to act this year to resolve outstanding problems with the Medicare physician payment formula. To view a copy of the letter go to the AMC/NOMA web site at Letter to Senator.