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chemotherapy
Photo by Rhoda Baer
A bill that repeals the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for physician reimbursement under Medicare is a victory for cancer patients, according to oncologist groups.
The bill—known as H.R.2—passed both the US House of Representatives and the Senate with an overwhelming majority. It must still be signed into law by President Obama, but he has indicated he will sign it.
By repealing the SGR payment methodology, the bill will prevent a 21.2% reduction in physician reimbursement rates.
“Today’s courageous vote by the US Senate to finally end the sustainable growth rate formula is a vote for the millions of patients with cancer who depend on Medicare to help them fight their disease,” said Peter Paul Yu, MD, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
“With Congress passing this historic legislation to finally end the 13-year SGR roller coaster ride, Medicare beneficiaries and their physicians can breathe easier knowing that they will no longer face the perennial threat of payment cuts that risk disruption of care and cause anxiety among patients.”
Under H.R. 2, Medicare’s physician reimbursements will increase by 0.5% in the second half of 2015, then an additional 0.5% annually from 2016 through the end of 2019. The 2019 rates will be maintained through 2025 with no additional increases.
The bill also includes comprehensive structural changes to Medicare’s reimbursement model that aim to promote physician participation in clinical quality improvement activities and value-based care that will take full effect in 2019.
Current Medicare programs that reward electronic health records, quality reporting, the value-based modifier, and meaningful use will be merged by 2019 to encourage participation and to reduce the administrative burden.
The bill also ensures the Children’s Health Insurance Program will receive funding for 2 more years and allocates $7.2 billion for community health centers.
“[P]assage of this legislation represents a long-awaited, historic victory for our patients,” said Bruce G. Haffty, MD, chair of the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s board of directors.
“Permanently repealing the SGR and replacing it with a stabilized reimbursement plan focused on quality will strengthen Medicare and allow us to enhance cancer care for the more than 1 million patients treated with radiation therapy each year.” 
chemotherapy
Photo by Rhoda Baer
A bill that repeals the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for physician reimbursement under Medicare is a victory for cancer patients, according to oncologist groups.
The bill—known as H.R.2—passed both the US House of Representatives and the Senate with an overwhelming majority. It must still be signed into law by President Obama, but he has indicated he will sign it.
By repealing the SGR payment methodology, the bill will prevent a 21.2% reduction in physician reimbursement rates.
“Today’s courageous vote by the US Senate to finally end the sustainable growth rate formula is a vote for the millions of patients with cancer who depend on Medicare to help them fight their disease,” said Peter Paul Yu, MD, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
“With Congress passing this historic legislation to finally end the 13-year SGR roller coaster ride, Medicare beneficiaries and their physicians can breathe easier knowing that they will no longer face the perennial threat of payment cuts that risk disruption of care and cause anxiety among patients.”
Under H.R. 2, Medicare’s physician reimbursements will increase by 0.5% in the second half of 2015, then an additional 0.5% annually from 2016 through the end of 2019. The 2019 rates will be maintained through 2025 with no additional increases.
The bill also includes comprehensive structural changes to Medicare’s reimbursement model that aim to promote physician participation in clinical quality improvement activities and value-based care that will take full effect in 2019.
Current Medicare programs that reward electronic health records, quality reporting, the value-based modifier, and meaningful use will be merged by 2019 to encourage participation and to reduce the administrative burden.
The bill also ensures the Children’s Health Insurance Program will receive funding for 2 more years and allocates $7.2 billion for community health centers.
“[P]assage of this legislation represents a long-awaited, historic victory for our patients,” said Bruce G. Haffty, MD, chair of the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s board of directors.
“Permanently repealing the SGR and replacing it with a stabilized reimbursement plan focused on quality will strengthen Medicare and allow us to enhance cancer care for the more than 1 million patients treated with radiation therapy each year.”
chemotherapy
Photo by Rhoda Baer
A bill that repeals the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for physician reimbursement under Medicare is a victory for cancer patients, according to oncologist groups.
The bill—known as H.R.2—passed both the US House of Representatives and the Senate with an overwhelming majority. It must still be signed into law by President Obama, but he has indicated he will sign it.
By repealing the SGR payment methodology, the bill will prevent a 21.2% reduction in physician reimbursement rates.
“Today’s courageous vote by the US Senate to finally end the sustainable growth rate formula is a vote for the millions of patients with cancer who depend on Medicare to help them fight their disease,” said Peter Paul Yu, MD, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
“With Congress passing this historic legislation to finally end the 13-year SGR roller coaster ride, Medicare beneficiaries and their physicians can breathe easier knowing that they will no longer face the perennial threat of payment cuts that risk disruption of care and cause anxiety among patients.”
Under H.R. 2, Medicare’s physician reimbursements will increase by 0.5% in the second half of 2015, then an additional 0.5% annually from 2016 through the end of 2019. The 2019 rates will be maintained through 2025 with no additional increases.
The bill also includes comprehensive structural changes to Medicare’s reimbursement model that aim to promote physician participation in clinical quality improvement activities and value-based care that will take full effect in 2019.
Current Medicare programs that reward electronic health records, quality reporting, the value-based modifier, and meaningful use will be merged by 2019 to encourage participation and to reduce the administrative burden.
The bill also ensures the Children’s Health Insurance Program will receive funding for 2 more years and allocates $7.2 billion for community health centers.
“[P]assage of this legislation represents a long-awaited, historic victory for our patients,” said Bruce G. Haffty, MD, chair of the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s board of directors.
“Permanently repealing the SGR and replacing it with a stabilized reimbursement plan focused on quality will strengthen Medicare and allow us to enhance cancer care for the more than 1 million patients treated with radiation therapy each year.”