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More than 80 million Americans rely on their local physicians for vital Medicare services. The quality and accessibility of healthcare is important to our seniors. Right now, more than 73% of our nation’s physicians are willing to accept new Medicare patients. Now is the time to encourage doctors to see new Medicare patients, not discourage them.
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) enacted February 8, 2006 prevented a payment rate cut of 4.4% for 2006. Reimbursement rates were frozen in 2006 at $37.89, the same level in effect in 2005. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has also instructed its contractors to rapidly implement the zero percent change to any 2006 claims processed prior to implementation of the DRA. 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 reverse the projected 5 percent cut for 2007 to make sure the Medicare physicians are adequately reimbursed. Every year I help recover the reimbursement for providers and will continue to do so. |
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