ACC fights Medicare cuts
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
The American College of Cardiology says it is pushing legislation in Congress that would hold 2010 Medicare reimbursement for cardiologist practice expenses at 2009 rates rather than enact the substantial scheduled cuts that will result from CMS's adoption of a new survey tool to calculate payments (1"The Gray Sheet" Nov. 9, 2009). The bill, sponsored by Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, would still allow other physicians, such as primary care doctors, to receive expected payment gains from the new methodology. The cardiology group earlier this month launched its Campaign for Patient Access program to share stories from patients across the country about how the Medicare physician fee schedule cuts could limit access to life-saving treatment