Part B News | Editors' Blog

Andy Slavitt offers sympathy, no details on future EHR requirements

by: Roy Edroso Mar 3, 2016

I feel you, CMS Acting Adminsitrator Andy Slavitt basically told providers who struggle with CMS' meaningful use requirements on March 2. But his sympathetic comments at the annual HIMSS meeting did not come with details as to how he would make things easier or more effective.

SGR repeal triggered 14-day claims hold

by: Julia Kyles, CPC-A Dec 30, 2015

The SGR is gone, but those pesky claims holds that have heralded the start of each year are still around.

MedPAC: Repeal SGR by cutting specialty payments 18%

by: Grant Huang Sep 20, 2011

You would win big-time if you’re a primary care practice, but lose big-time if you’re a specialist, under a new proposal by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). The group has a budget-neutral, “paid-for” solution that repeals the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula once and for all, saving all physicians from the annual cliffhanger Medicare pay cut that Congress always steps in to prevent.

Medicare Trustees report for 2011 is out

by: Grant Huang May 13, 2011

The latest Medicare Trustees report is out and the news isn't good: Medicare is set to go bust in 2024, five years earlier than the 2029 date projected in last year's report. The Social Security program will run out of money earlier as well, in 2036 instead of 2037. Remember: The Medicare trust fund pays for Medicare Part A, which means hospital insurance is affected. Part B payments are funded entirely by tax revenue and premiums paid by beneficiaries themselves. Nevertheless, top physician advocacy groups leapt to the fore immediately after the report was released today.

AMA president touts new payment model to Congress

by: Grant Huang May 9, 2011

You would get a five-year vacation from the massive Medicare pay cuts called for by the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula -- if AMA President Cecil B. Wilson had his way. In his testimony before Congress, Wilson calls for a "three-pronged approach" to reforming Medicare's physician payment system. It starts with a permanent repeal of SGR, a five-year period of "stable payment updates that keep pace with the growth in medical practice costs" and a transition to new payment models.

Login

User Name:
Password:
Remember me Forgot password
Welcome to the new Part B News Online. If you are a returning user having trouble logging in, please click here.

Your new password should have at least 6 characters.
Current Password
New Password
Confirm Password