Now is not the time to discourage doctors from seeing Medicare patients.  The health of our nation’s seniors is too important. 

Congress acted to prevent a payment rate cut of 4.4% for 2006 when it passed the Deficit Reduction Act.  Reimbursement rates for 2006 will remain at the 2005 level.  But because the House and the Senate’s versions of the bill differed slightly, Congress was unable to pass a final version of the bill before the end of the year.  I expect the bill to be taken up and passed again by the House when Congress reconvenes at the end of January.

Also, CMS has instructed its contractors to rapidly implement the zero percent change when the legislation passes.  Claims submitted that were subject to the 4.4% cut will be automatically reprocessed to reflect the unreduced payment levels.

It is critical to make sure that there are enough doctors to provide our nation’s seniors care.  I will continue working to make sure Medicare physicians are adequately reimbursed.