Released Aug. 3, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule would reduce the conversion factor for general and specialty surgeons from $36.09 to $32.26.
ACS surveyed 1,324 members from Sept. 8-14 about the proposed rule’s potential consequences.
Respondents were asked what actions they are likely to take if the rule goes into effect:
1. Limit Medicare patient scheduling: 39 percent
2. Reduce time spent with patients: 37 percent
3. Hire fewer new administrative staff: 27 percent
4. Stop investing in new equipment or technology: 26 percent
5. Hire fewer new nurses: 22 percent
6. Eliminate certain procedures: 21 percent
7. Cut existing administrative staff: 21 percent
8. Reduce total hours worked: 15 percent
9. Cancel a planned expansion: 14 percent
10. Cut existing nurses: 11 percent
11. Leave surgery entirely: 9 percent
12. Close satellite offices that are part of my practice: 8 percent
13. Close my practice entirely: 4 percent
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