Medicare SGR Update -- projected 37% cut by 2015

[Guest guest]

E-mail from my state medical society.

Who would set up a system like this on purpose?

Sigh.

Locke, MD

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Date: Tue, May 18, 2010 at 5:03 PMSubject: ASAP - 5-18-10 - Urgent SGR UpdateTo: kelly@...

ASAP - An Electronic Publication of the Colorado Medical Society

May 18, 2010Review the CMS member benefits page. These vendors help support ASAP.

SGR Update

Day of Awareness Canceled, Fight for Permanent Fix Continues

Due to recent developments in Washington, D.C., the Colorado Medical Society has canceled the Medicare Day of Awareness that was scheduled for May 25.

 From the beginning, it was essential to us that physicians and patients stand shoulder-to-shoulder at these press conferences. We learned this morning that AARP will not be able to participate in the event because their national organization's view differs from ours on the Medicare bill likely to go to a vote in Congress next week.

 We anticipate the bill will include a five-year fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula.

It would likely provide modest increases in physician payments in the first two years and a possible freeze or modest increase in each of the next three years.

In 2015, physician payments would be scheduled to revert back to the current SGR formula with a projected cut of no more than 37 percent.

By that time, we believe that the price tag to permanently repeal the SGR, or even to extend the proposed 2012-2014 policy, could exceed $500 billion. 

CMS and the AMA oppose any measure that further " kicks the can, " thereby jeopardizing Medicare and Tricare patients' access to care and growing the cost of a fix exponentially.

 We were very concerned that going forward with the Day of Awareness without our patients at our side would be inappropriate and potentially perceived as self-serving. Instead, we are redirecting those resources to our ongoing, aggressive efforts to get a permanent fix of the SGR.

 Next week, CMS President-elect Mike Pramenko, along with other CMS physician leaders and our senior director of public affairs, will lobby our delegation in Washington, D.C.

 They will be armed with critical data from our most recent " flash " poll on health care reform: That while most members of the Colorado Medical Society will continue to care for Medicare and Tricare patients provided even a modest increase, one-in five say they will leave the program outright, and another one-third say they will reduce or disallow access for new Medicare patients, if faced with a double-digit cut in the payment schedule. Such a scenario could be catastrophic for our patients and our health care system.

" Doctors continue to act in a professional manner toward our patients, while lawmakers in Washington continue to take advantage of our professionalism by not permanently fixing this problem, " CMS President Mark Laitos said.

 There are several things you can do to help: 1. If you have not yet taken the flash poll, please do so now by clicking here.

2. CMS and your component societies also continue to circulate an online petition that will be presented to members of Congress. If you have not yet signed the petition, please do so today by clicking here.

3. You may also contact your lawmaker via the AMA website by clicking here. 

 We will keep you updated on events in Washington, D.C., and our efforts. Meanwhile, please join us in making  your voice and the voices of your patients heard.

To comment on something you read in ASAP, simply send an e-mail to ASAP_Editor@....

Forward email

This email was sent to kelly@... by enews_editor@....

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

Email Marketing by

Colorado Medical Society | 7351 Lowry Boulevard | Denver | CO | 80230