Medicare physician payment reform

Despite a presidential veto, H.R. 6331, the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008,” passed with wide, bi-partisan majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. See how your senators and representative voted. This bill now becomes law.

This legislation replaces the 10.6% payment cut that went into effect on July 1 with a 0.5% update extension through December 31, 2008. For calendar year 2009, the update will be 1.1%. Other important provisions such as extending the GPCI floor on physician work were also included.

This 18-month reprieve will also provide time for Congress to work with physicians on developing a long-term solution to a payment system that all agree is fatally flawed.

See the AMA Physician Payment Action Kit for more information, including highlights of H.R. 6331

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