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Good news for physicians: Congress averts Medicare pay cut for 2011

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Today, by a vote of 409 to 2, the House approved legislation (HR 4994) to extend the Medicare physician payment rate for one year, narrowly avoiding the 25-percent pay cut scheduled for Jan. 1. The Senate unanimously approved the measure yesterday. The President has said he will sign the bill promptly.

The bill is estimated to cost $14.9 billion over 10 years and includes extensions to several expiring Medicare programs. The Congressional Budget Office has reported that the package is fully funded, primarily through changes related to subsidy overpayments in the health care reform law. The law requires that those who receive tax subsidies to help them purchase health care coverage through the soon-to-be-developed health insurance exchanges must repay a portion of the subsidy if it is larger than what they are actually eligible for -- up to $250 for individuals and $400 for families. The new bill would use a sliding scale instead, based on income level.

Physicians groups including the AAFP welcome passage of the bill but are urging Congress to develop a permanent solution to the Medicare physician payment cuts, which occur annually because of the flawed sustainable growth rate formula.

More good news ...
Congress also voted this week to exempt physicians from the Federal Trade Commission's Red Flags Rule. The rule, which applies to creditors and is in intended to stop identity theft, would have been onerous for the typical medical practice.


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