How Obama’s Medicare Cuts Hit Physician Reimbursement
Posted on 27. Feb, 2009 by Editor in Provider News
The budget released Thursday suggests we cut $300 billion from Medicare & Medicaid reimbursement over the next 10 years.
Where will the savings come from, even as more and more Americans become eligible for Medicare? The answers lie within the bowels of the budget outline (Table S-6 on page 127), points out The Wall Street Journal.
Highlights of cuts that will affect physician practices, plus potential pitfalls doctors should watch out for, given what we know now:
The budget says: ”Drive down hospital readmission rates for Medicare patients to save $8.43 billion.”
Coding News Prediction: Expect more physician profiling of clinicians who do high-risk procedures or operate on the sickest patients. Start sharpening your V-coding skills now.
The budget says: “Use radiology benefit managers for Medicare to save $260 million.”
Coding News Prediction: Required pre-authorization for diagnostic radiology procedures on Medicare patients, or a diagnostic radiology cap?
The budget says: Use “private sector enhancements” to ensure that Medicare “pays accurately” to save $2.04 billion.
Coding News Prediction: RAC audits are here to stay.
ON-DEMAND AUDIO: Deb Grider shows you how to survive the RACs.
To read the budget, click here and go to page 127.
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