Rehab

CMS won't budge on Part B drug stance

Rehab Regs, August 18, 2005

Despite congressional pressure, CMS refuses to remove Part B drug costs from Medicare's physician payment formula, suggesting in its draft proposal that doing so would likely have a negative financial impact on the program, according to Inside CMS. The agency is being pressed by House Ways and Means Committee leaders and many senators to shoulder the estimated $111 billion cost of administratively removing Part B drug payments. Physicians treating Medicare beneficiaries face a 4.3% cut in reimbursement next year, with similar cuts forecasted for the next five years. In its draft rule, CMS says the cut is being driven by substantial growth in Medicare spending, predominantly by more physician office visits, increases in physical therapy, more laboratory tests, and greater use of physician-administered drugs, reported Inside CMS.

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