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.
