The Alliance of Specialty Medicine is questioning proposed changes in Medicare reimbursements in the recent draft report of the federal Debt Commission, according to a release from the Alliance.
The Alliance agreed with a draft recommendation by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to permanently stop automatic cuts in Medicare physicians, but it has concerns about what might take its place.
But the draft recommendations, which still must be reviewed by the full panel, call for replacing the automatic cuts with "modest reductions" and would direct CMS to establish a new physician payment system "to reduce costs and improve quality," according to the draft.
"We can't risk the near-term health of seniors for supposed long-term benefits the panel hopes to achieve," said Alex B. Valadka, MD a neurosurgeon who is spokesperson for the Alliance. "Already Medicare reimburses doctors and hospitals at rates below the actual cost of providing the medical care seniors need. The Alliance is concerned that any further cuts would seriously jeopardize seniors' access to specialty care."
The bipartisan commission will vote on final recommendations by Dec. 1. Fourteen of the commission's 18 members would need to support the final draft before it becomes official.
The Alliance includes the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and National Association of Spine Specialists.
Read the Alliance of Specialty Medicine release on proposed changes in Medicare reimbursements.
Read more coverage of Medicare fee cuts:
- Federal Debt Panel Proposes 20 Major Cuts for Hospitals, Physicians
- AMA Wants New Federal Panel to Propose Permanent Fee Fix to Congress
- AMA: 94% of Americans Concerned About Upcoming Physician Fee Cut
The Alliance agreed with a draft recommendation by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to permanently stop automatic cuts in Medicare physicians, but it has concerns about what might take its place.
But the draft recommendations, which still must be reviewed by the full panel, call for replacing the automatic cuts with "modest reductions" and would direct CMS to establish a new physician payment system "to reduce costs and improve quality," according to the draft.
"We can't risk the near-term health of seniors for supposed long-term benefits the panel hopes to achieve," said Alex B. Valadka, MD a neurosurgeon who is spokesperson for the Alliance. "Already Medicare reimburses doctors and hospitals at rates below the actual cost of providing the medical care seniors need. The Alliance is concerned that any further cuts would seriously jeopardize seniors' access to specialty care."
The bipartisan commission will vote on final recommendations by Dec. 1. Fourteen of the commission's 18 members would need to support the final draft before it becomes official.
The Alliance includes the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and National Association of Spine Specialists.
Read the Alliance of Specialty Medicine release on proposed changes in Medicare reimbursements.
Read more coverage of Medicare fee cuts:
- Federal Debt Panel Proposes 20 Major Cuts for Hospitals, Physicians
- AMA Wants New Federal Panel to Propose Permanent Fee Fix to Congress
- AMA: 94% of Americans Concerned About Upcoming Physician Fee Cut