2010-07-21
ASH, along with several other medical specialties, released survey
results from 5500 physicians illustrating that the elimination of
Medicare’s consultation codes has had a negative impact on physician efforts to
improve care coordination and reduced the treatment options available to
Medicare patients. Highlights from the
survey include:
- 30 percent
have already reduced their services to Medicare patients or are contemplating
cost-cutting steps that will impact care.
- 20 percent
have already eliminated or reduced appointments for new Medicare patients.
- 39 percent
will defer the purchase of new equipment and/or information technology.
- 34 percent
are eliminating staff, including physicians in some cases.
Results from
the 178 hematologists who responded to the survey shows that nearly all (93
percent) noted that practice income had declined because of Medicare’s decision
to eliminate the use of consult codes. Many of the hematologists
anticipate that they will eliminate staff (35 percent) or defer purchase of new
equipment (36 percent) to compensate for the lost revenue and ensure the
practice’s viability.
Previously, ASH has urged the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider its consult code policy in the 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule
and has met with members of congress about this issue. ASH continues to advocate for appropriate payment for consults and to work with the physician community to
assess the impact of this change.
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