2009-10-22
Attempt to Repeal SGR Fails in Senate; Slight
Increase in Fees Still Likely in 2010
The U.S. Senate was unable to get enough votes to begin debate on the Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009 (S
1776). This
bill, introduced by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), would have permanently
repealed the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula that was included
in 1997 legislation and set future payment rates at current levels. The
current statute calls for a Medicare physician payment cut beginning January
1, 2010, unless new legislation is enacted. Read more.
Health Reform Legislation Moves Forward
On October 13, the Senate Finance Committee approved America’s
Healthy Future Act of 2009 (S 1796) with a vote of 14 to 9, with only one Republican
on the Committee, Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), supporting the bill.
The legislation would reshape the American health-care system by providing
subsidies to help millions of people buy insurance but would not include
a government-run health insurance option. Read more.
ASH Comments on Proposed Oncology Electronic Health
Record Requirements
ASH has commented on
the proposed
Oncology EHR Requirements developed by the National Cancer Institute
(NCI) Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology (CBIIT),
the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the National Community
Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP). Read more.
ASH Requesting Member Assistance on Validation
of PQRI Hematology Measures
The Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI), administered
through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), provides
a financial incentive for eligible professionals to participate in its
voluntary quality reporting program. ASH has developed four
hematology measures to ensure that hematologists can participate in
this program. For the measures to remain in the PQRI program, they need
to undergo a validation process. Please take a moment to complete a five-minute survey about your utilization of the hematology measures. Read more.
Electronic Health Records: HITECH ACT Financial
Incentives
The HITECH Act provisions of the Recovery Act (ARRA) will provide
incentive payments to doctors that adopt and meaningfully use health information
technology. Eligible physicians can receive up to $44,000 over five years
under Medicare. The program currently under development requires that CMS
publish a formal definition of meaningful use, for the purposes of receiving
the Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments, by December 31, 2009, and
final definition of the term will be reached by early 2010. There will
be additional federal support including collaborative HITECH
grants programs. Please read "'Meaningful' Progress Toward Electronic Health Information Exchange" by Dr. David
Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology for additional insight.
Annual Clotting Factor Furnishing Fee Update
For calendar year 2010, the blood clotting factor furnishing
fee of $0.170 per international unit is added to the payment limit
for a blood clotting factor that is not included on the Average Sales Price.
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