Medical Staff

Physician organizations cry foul over Medicare payment decrease

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, October 17, 2007

An October 22 American Medical News (AMNews) article reported that Medicare premiums for outpatient services next year will rise just 3.1%-the smallest percentage increase in seven years-due partly to the fact that physician rates are set to be cut by nearly 10% in January.

The news organization reported that the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $96.40 next year, an increase of $2.90 from the current level.

The largest chunk of the premium increase is caused by a projected jump in spending on Medicare private health plans. The juxtaposition of physician payment cuts with Medicare Advantage pay increases has physician organizations bristling. They argue that the insurers already are overpaid.

But physician associations are already pushing to have Congress vote to prevent the payment cuts and, according to experts, they have recent history on their side, the AMNews reported.

To read the entire article click here.

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