2.2 Percent SGR Fix..until November 2010

On June 24, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962, the "Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010." This legislation includes provisions to replace the 21 percent Medicare physician payment cut that took effect at the beginning of June with a 2.2 percent payment update that will extend through November 2010.

House passes 19-month SGR relief

The House passed an amended version of the “American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010,” which includes a provision to suspend Medicare physician payment cuts produced by the SGR formula for 19 months. The Act will prevent the 21% cut originally scheduled for 2010, with the House proposing a 2.2% payment update for the remainder of this year, and a 1% update for 2011. Under the House’s proposal the SGR challenges will resume in 2012, with an estimated 33% payment cut for that year. The Senate will not resume until June 7 to consider the legislation.

Congress needs to hear from you! Contact your representative and senators today using the AMA’s toll-free grassroots hotline at (800) 833-6354 or send them an email. A long-term solution to the SGR is needed today!

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has notified physicians it will delay processing claims for two weeks. CMS told its contractors to hold claims for Medicare reimbursement for 10 business days “to avoid disruption in the delivery of health care services to beneficiaries and payment of claims for physicians.”

FTC delays enforcement of Red Flags Rule again

On May 28, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that, for the fifth time, it will again delay enforcement date of the Red Flags Rule—this time through December 31, 2010. The AANEM along with many other physician organization oppose the FTC’s view that any physician who does not require payment at the time patients receive medical services is bound to comply with the Red Flags Rule, which requires creditors to develop and implement written identify theft programs. Interim guidance is available at: http://www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule