Medicare continued paying physicians through the last government shutdown — December 1995 through January 1996 — and physicians are still seeing payments roll in today since the funding for Medicare and Medicaid programs aren't dependent on Congress to appropriate money for provider reimbursement, according to a Medscape report.
However, a 24.7 percent reimbursement reduction is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2014 unless Congress is able to avert it.
There is a bill with bipartisan support that would replace the SGR formula and provide a 0.5 percent annual rise through 2018, according to the report, and include pay-for-performance requirements. However, as battles in Congress persist some foresee continued political maneuvering and "Doc Fix" solutions throughout next year.
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However, a 24.7 percent reimbursement reduction is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2014 unless Congress is able to avert it.
There is a bill with bipartisan support that would replace the SGR formula and provide a 0.5 percent annual rise through 2018, according to the report, and include pay-for-performance requirements. However, as battles in Congress persist some foresee continued political maneuvering and "Doc Fix" solutions throughout next year.
More Articles on Physicians:
Training Tomorrow's Spine Surgeons: What Model is Best?
CMS Physician Quality Reporting Requirements: How to Avoid Penalties
Ethical Issues in Medicine: 4 Top Issues