Good news from Capitol Hill. Last night, the Senate unanimously passed legislation (H.R. 4994) that would prevent the 25 percent Medicare physician payment cut slated for Jan. 1. The House of Representatives approved the bill this afternoon. Specifically, the bill provides a zero percent update in physician reimbursement levels for 2011, providing time for the ACC and the rest of the medical community to work with Congress on a permanent alternative to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) used to calculate physician payment. The bill now goes to the White House for President Obama's signature. Thanks to all who took the time to contact their lawmakers on this critical issue. Updates will be posted on the ACC Advocacy page of CardioSource.org.
"Red Flag" update: The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed "red flag" legislation previously approved by the Senate that makes doctors exempt from the anti-identity theft requirements and safeguards banks and other creditors must follow. The legislation now awaits presidential approval. Your ACC, the American Medical Association (AMA) and other medical associations have strongly opposed the inclusion of physicians as creditors and have repeatedly been able to delay the Red Flag Rule's implementation date. The AMA, the American Osteopath Association and the Medical Society of the District of Columbia also filed a lawsuit on this point. The passage of this legislations is good news for practices!
Is your lab accredited? New CMS rules require all imaging labs providing nuclear/PET, CT, or MR studies for Medicare patients to be accredited by Jan. 1, 2012. The accreditation process can take as long as nine months. Join the ACC this Friday, Dec. 10 from 1-2 p.m. (ET) for a free webinar to learn what practices need to know to comply with the new rules. Register today.
Questions/Comments? Contact advocate@acc.org.