The current SGR patch is nearing expiration and many in the healthcare industry are urging Congress to pass a more permanent solution before the expiration date. The SGR Repeal and Replace Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act currently being considered would repeal SGR and provide physicians with payment stability for five years as well as positive updates.
The legislation would also consolidate the Physician Quality Reporting System, Electronic Health Record and Value-Based Payment Modifier programs and eliminate penalties for these programs. Providers would be able to choose payment models, including fee-for-service, and CMS would offer positive incentives for quality improvement payment programs.
Finally, the new legislation would enhance physicians’ ability to develop quality measures and clinical practice improvement activities without creating new standards of care for medical malpractice lawsuits.
While many aspects of the legislation could be positive for providers, it does not include annual positive payment updates, and with the finite amount of money available for quality incentive programs the letter expresses concerns that many physicians will receive penalties instead of bonuses.
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