Déjà Vu: Federal Government Temporarily Delays Medicare Cuts
On March 2, 2010, the US Senate passed, and President Barack Obama signed, another extension that delays a 21 percent cut in Medicare physician fees. The delay is retroactive to March 1 and goes through March 31.
The Senate voted 78-19 to pass H.R. 4691, the "Temporary Extension Act of 2010," which included provisions to extend 2009 Medicare physician payment rates through the end of the month.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said the bill also extends the therapy cap exceptions process through March 31, 2010, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010. Outpatient therapy service providers may now submit claims with the KX modifier, when an exception is appropriate, for services furnished on or after Jan. 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010.
CMS also announced that effective immediately, claims with dates of service March 1 and later which were being held by Medicare contractors will be released for processing and payment.
Discussions continue in Congress on next steps to address the Medicare payment crisis. Various proposals—including postponements ranging from 90 days to the end of 2010—are being circulated. One bill in the Senate, H.R. 4213 (the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010), would extend the freeze on Medicare physician payments until Sept. 30, 2010.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society joins the American Medical Association and other physician and patient-advocacy groups in supporting a permanent repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Medicare payment formula.
Pennsylvania physicians and other concerned citizens should contact Sen. Arlen Specter and Sen. Robert Casey to urge them to make a permanent fix to SGR a top priority.
Go to the Pennsylvania Medical Society political action page for a quick, automated way to send an email to the senators or to find contact information for a phone call, letter or fax.
Last Updated: 3/3/2010