Posted on 08/07/2006 8:43:12 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
WASHINGTON - Medicare reimbursements to doctors are set to drop by nearly 5 percent next year, an amount that physicians say could make it harder for elderly patients to see a doctor.
Mark McClellan, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, told reporters Monday that the agency would soon issue new regulations updating reimbursement rates for physicians. He did not provide an exact amount the rates would change in 2007, but trustees for the Medicare program projected in May that the cut would be 4.7 percent.
The reimbursement rates are established by formula, which sets annual and cumulative spending targets for physician reimbursements. When spending increases exceed economic growth, payments to doctors are supposed to be cut.
McClellan attributed proposed payment reductions to a "vicious cycle" in health care. Doctors provide more and more services per patient, which drives up Medicare spending faster than the overall economy.
However, Congress in the past has headed off similar reductions called for by federal regulation, and it's expected to step in again this year once lawmakers return from their August recess. Already, 80 senators wrote their respective leaders in that chamber this past month to say they believe the Senate should increase the reimbursement rates for doctors before Congress adjourns in October.
McClellan said he was optimistic that the federal government could also make some structural changes as soon as this year in the way doctors are reimbursed. Those changes would focus more on paying doctors when they provide services proven to improve patient outcomes rather than just reimbursing doctors for more care.
He said he is seeing more leadership from physician groups this year when it comes to providing guidance on how the government could undertake such a transformation.
Give existing seniors on Medicare some type of prepaid healthcare debit account that covers all their healthcare needs for a low monthly premium. I mean, seriously. Get rid of the bureaucrats, the mandates, the paperwork.
You think the GOP is going to do that? They expanded Medicare with trillions of dollars more in giveaways (and no thought as to how to pay for it).
Another example of what happens when the GOVERNMENT gets involed....it screws it up....soc sec, medicare, public schools, universities (some), welfare, medical insurance.....what's the definition of crazy? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result......maybe the system will BREAK....I will do everything I can to NOT have to deal with Medicare (I still have several years left before I have to face that)
<">The whole thing is a racket run by the government.\<">
Yessss, it is. but what you gonna do? When they start paying the same for seeing 1 or 100, guess how many patients I will see?
Notice that the government is really great about telling everyone what they should be making, but never cuts it's own income. Well that isn't exactly true, because we do get tax cuts. But then the government still goes on spending so sooner or later the citizen will pick up the tab.
Doctors you make too much. Pharmacies you make to much. Hospitals you make too much.
Illegal aliens... awwwwww, don't worry, we've got plenty of loot.
And anyone wonders why the bloody @#$#@ that we're having a hard time finding primary car physicians?
There is no way that I'm going primary care if I can avoid it. Why bother? Twice the headaches, twice the paperwork, and 1/3 the pay!
It's a sad state of affairs. Primary care docs with an emphasis on preventative medicine could really cut into our healthcare costs, but the best and the brightest are flocking to dermatology and Ear Nose & Throat. And for good reason.
I'm 55 and the LAST thing I want is Medicare!!! Now, some social security yes, since we've paid into it for 35+ years.....but, we have the same attitude you do....SAVE FOR YOUR OWN RETIREMENT, don't count on ANYONE else!
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