Sequestration will set into full effect on Monday, cutting Medicare payments by 2 percent, according to a Medscape report. Congress failed to roll back sequestration across-the-board spending cuts that would have extended government funding through Sept. 30, and has been unable to compromise on a 2014 budget plan. The amount patients are responsible for paying to physicians is not impacted by sequestration.
"Sequestration will result in less money available for high quality medical care for everyone," says Ara Deukmedjian, MD, founder and medical director of Deuk Spine Institute in Melbourne, Fla. "Spinal care is relatively expensive and will certainly be negatively affected. Expect surgeons to continue to struggle to keep their doors open to patients with spinal disorders. When payments for certain services get low enough, surgeons will no longer be able to provide that care. For example, a carpal tunnel release pays so little that we can no longer provide this surgery to patients at this time. We cannot afford to provide certain services because the cost to our practice is too great and therefore not sustainable. This is of course the result that the insurance companies are looking for. In the end, patients and society as a whole will suffer more when spinal surgeons practices 'go under.'"
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"Sequestration will result in less money available for high quality medical care for everyone," says Ara Deukmedjian, MD, founder and medical director of Deuk Spine Institute in Melbourne, Fla. "Spinal care is relatively expensive and will certainly be negatively affected. Expect surgeons to continue to struggle to keep their doors open to patients with spinal disorders. When payments for certain services get low enough, surgeons will no longer be able to provide that care. For example, a carpal tunnel release pays so little that we can no longer provide this surgery to patients at this time. We cannot afford to provide certain services because the cost to our practice is too great and therefore not sustainable. This is of course the result that the insurance companies are looking for. In the end, patients and society as a whole will suffer more when spinal surgeons practices 'go under.'"More Articles on Physician Practices:
Is Your Orthopedic Practice Ready for ICD-10 & Meaningful Use Stage 2?
Will Spine Surgeons Seek Hospital Employment? 3 Leaders Weigh In
How Do American Healthcare Costs Compare Globally?