The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons announced opposition to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's proposal to repeal the sustainable growth rate formula that establishes physician pay under Medicare, according to an AAOS Now report.
Under the proposed action, payment rates for orthopedic surgeons would be cut over the next 10 years while primary care physician payments would remain flat. The proposal cuts specialist service rates by 5.9 percent per annum for three years and then freezes rates for seven years.
Before MedPAC voted on the proposal, AAOS sent a letter to every member of Congress opposing the recommendation and has cosigned a second letter with other organizations sent to the Commission, urging members to reconsider the recommendations, according to the report. AAOS now urges orthopedic surgeons to call their congressional representatives to express displeasure with the proposal.
As part of its advocacy efforts, AAOS continues to meet with leaders in Congress, asking them not to accept the MedPAC proposal. If Congress doesn't act before the end of 2011, the SGR will trigger a 29.5 percent payment reduction to all providers, according to the report.
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Before MedPAC voted on the proposal, AAOS sent a letter to every member of Congress opposing the recommendation and has cosigned a second letter with other organizations sent to the Commission, urging members to reconsider the recommendations, according to the report. AAOS now urges orthopedic surgeons to call their congressional representatives to express displeasure with the proposal.
As part of its advocacy efforts, AAOS continues to meet with leaders in Congress, asking them not to accept the MedPAC proposal. If Congress doesn't act before the end of 2011, the SGR will trigger a 29.5 percent payment reduction to all providers, according to the report.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Surgery:
OrthoIndy's Dr. Sandy Kunkel Performs Knee Surgery on Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels
Building Stronger Patient Relationships: 7 Points From Orthopedic Surgeons Who Have Been in Their Shoes
New Studies Recommend Protocol for Decreasing Spine Surgical Site Infection