November 2005 Practice Update

Physician Reimbursement in Medicare
Without Congressional intervention, Medicare will implement a 4.4 percent decrease to physician reimbursement beginning January 1, 2006. Legislation is pending that prevents the reimbursement cuts and would provide at least a 1 percent increase next year. Join ASH’s advocacy campaign to prevent physician payment cuts by visiting the Advocacy Center. ASH’s summary of the physician fee schedule is available online.

Committee Meeting on December 9th
The Practice Committee will meet on Friday December 9, 2005, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the Oak Room, South Tower of the Omni Hotel CNN Center. Guest speaker Dr. Len Lichtenfeld will brief the committee on current issues related to the Relative-Value Update Committee (RUC). More information on the annual meeting is available on the Web site. Please note, the Committee Notebook will be sent electronically to Committee Members on Tuesday, November 29. 

Practice-Related Events at the Annual Meeting
The Committee on Practice is sponsoring two special events at the ASH annual meeting. The Special Symposium - Anemia in the Elderly: A Public Crisis in Hematology? will be held Saturday, December 10, from 2:00-3:45 p.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center in Room B206. The symposium will review key biologic problems related to anemia in the elderly, share recommendations for a clinical work-up of such patients, and discuss the role of the hematologist and ASH. The Practice Forum and Reception will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Rooms B211 and B212. It will provide the latest information on physician reimbursement and quality issues. Practitioners are also strongly encouraged to attend the Grassroots Breakfast on Sunday, December 11, from 7:00-8:00 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom A&B, North Tower of the Omni Hotel CNN Center.

Enrollment Begins for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
Beneficiary enrollment for Medicare Part D opened on November 15, 2005. The drug benefit is expected to begin January 1, 2006. Beneficiaries face a wide range of choices that include Medicare Advantage plans in addition to stand-alone prescription drug plans. Click Part D for more information.