In the News: MGMA Asks CMS to Take "Time Out" With Stark

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Written by Staff

Monday, 16 June 2008

The Medical Group Management Association has asked CMS to take a “time out” concerning the growing complexity of Stark regulations.

In a letter from Dr. William Jesse, MGMA president, to CMS, he writes about the the physician self-referral law, “…as the Stark regulations have evolved over time, they have become ever more complex to the point where they are now virtually incomprehensible to the average physician or group practice administrator. Even routine business and clinical arrangements now require development and review by high priced lawyers and consultants, adding to the cost of practice, but frequently leaving groups uncertain as to their compliance status."

Jesse writes that exclusive Stark rulemakings are supplemented by the use of both Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital IPPS rulemakings, causing Stark to be in a constant state of flux. This leads him to state that “…it is time for the government and the regulated to take a TIME OUT!,” according to the letter.

Jesse then discusses some of the issues of confusion, offers suggestions for improvement and urges CMS to review the current rules before moving ahead with new changes.

View the MGMA letter to CMS.