Senate Committee Has Begun To Draft Bill To Prevent Reduction in Medicare Physician Payments

The Senate Finance Committee is working on drafting a bill that would eliminate the 10% reduction in Medicare reimbursements to physicians scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2008. The intent of the legislation would be to obtain the financing to eliminate the reduction through a decrease in reimbursements to Medicare Advantage plans. In addition, the legislation could include provisions to eliminate copayments for Medicare beneficiaries for preventive services, to provide incentives for physicians to provide such services, and to establish a framework for "government comparative effectiveness" research to ensure that the program uses the most cost-effective treatments. The AMCNO will provide more information if and when the legislation is introduced.