SGR Updates - What's Happening Right Now
As you know, the recently released Medicare Trustees Report confirmed that physicians face a steep payment cut of 30.9 percent in 2013. This cut is the highest ever scheduled under the antiquated Medicare physician payment system, emphasizing the need for immediate Congressional action. In order to reflect the current situation, we recently updated the SGR message at our legislative action center. While the year and size of the cut have changed, the message remains simple and direct - repeal the SGR. We will continue to update this message as things develop in the coming months.
Last week, the Senate Finance Committee considered ways to repeal and replace the SGR, holding the first of a series of roundtable discussions. Additionally, On May 9, a bipartisan bill , the Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act (H.R. 5707), was introduced by Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Pa., and Joe Heck, R-Nev. This bill would repeal the SGR formula while transitioning to new payment and healthcare delivery models. It would also raise Medicare payment rates by an annual 2.5 percent for primary care, preventive, and care-coordination services from 2014 to 2017. Rates for all other physician services would increase by 0.5 percent annually from 2014-2017. In 2019, physicians who remain in fee-for-service reimbursement would experience pay cuts.
The general framework of this proposal is a start in the right direction, however, there are concerns regarding differential payment between primary care physicians and specialists. Additionally, broad availability and applicability of new payment models across the full range of medical specialties and practice settings is uncertain. We have been working with Rep. Schwartz and other key legislators on SGR alternatives and are pleased to see SGR proposals, from both sides of the aisle, coming to the forefront at this time - especially considering all of the other issues competing for Congress's attention in an election year.
In an effort to help facilitate MGMA federal advocacy efforts, we want to also provide you with a link to our grassroots center. As the SGR discussion is beginning to heat up, we strongly encourage you to add the graphic/hyperlink to your state MGMA websites. In doing so, you'll easily be able to send your state members directly to our legislative action center, where grassroots messages are routinely updated by MGMA government affairs staff. Click Here to reach the MGMA Legislative Action Center and contact your members of Congress.
Managers Time Out
Thanks to everyone who took time out to come to our first Managers Time Out! Nancy Babbitt was an excellent guest speaker to open the festivities with a lively group discussion afterward on various topics of interest. Here's a list of the upcoming Managers Time Out sessions on the docket:
- Friday August 3, 4:00pm to 5:30pm in Newport at the Hallmark Inn. Guest Speaker: Tracy Spears - Why People Do What They Do
- Tracy Spears presents a fun and interactive program identifying the different personality temperaments through the easy and memorable language of color. Participants are also introduced to interactive styles which provide an understanding of individual needs, strengths and motivators. The program offers skills for working with and managing people more effectively, as well as creates awareness beneficial in team building and the placement of employees for greater productivity.
- Friday October 19, 4:00pm to 5:30pm in Hood River (location and speaker TBA)
- November in Ashland (date, location and speaker TBA)
Mark your calendars and plan to join us! If your area would like to host a future MTO, please let us know.
The 2012 Oregon/Washington MGMA Joint Meeting is fast approaching
The Oregon/Washington Medical Group Management Association (OMGMA/WSMGMA) Annual Joint Meeting is one of the best practice management conferences in the country. It attracts over 350 practice managers from Oregon and Washington. This year’s joint meeting takes place May 30 to June 2 in Portland, Oregon.
You simply won’t find more value for your educational dollar than this meeting. It features over a dozen nationally renowned speakers and dozens of regional practice experts. In addition, this dynamic event provides invaluable networking opportunities with peers, plus the largest trade show event of its kind on the West Coast.
This meeting is where practice managers discover the skills and knowledge they need to run a practice more efficiently and effectively. Make sure you don’t miss this affordable and highly regarded educational opportunity. Physician-Manager teams are encouraged.
Have you registered yet? Click this link for more information.
OMA Hosts Practice Roundtable Discussions
Click the link to see the upcoming Practice Roundtable Calendar - sessions are held at the OMA office in Tigard but are also available by phone for those unable to attend in person. Click this link to visit the Practice Management Tools section of their website for other helpful resources from the OMA.
Meaningful Content - How Can We Help You
Welcome to the new and improved OMGMA website. Please visit us often - we'll be updating the content on a regular basis. If you have ideas for information we can add to this website, please let us know!
We are actively seeking helpful content for our updated member website. Do you have any interesting and/or helpful information you'd like to share about the upcoming change to 5010? How about ICD-10? Are you ready for either? Both?
- Format 5010 for claims and remits - are we ready?
- How will the looming cuts in Medicare reimbursement affect my clinic?
- ICD-10 is coming....or is it? Do you have a plan?
- What's coming up in the 2013 Oregon Legislative Session? Will it have any affect on medical practices?
Got an idea for something we should add to our new website?
We would love to hear from you! Please contact:
Deb Bartel at
debrab@pdec.org
Debbie Anderson at
execsecretary@omgma.com
OMGMA, the local network for what you need to know in medical practice management.
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