On March 1, 2010 Medicare’s reimbursements, known as the SGR (sustainable growth rate) is scheduled to be reduced. This change will bring more than a 20 percent reduction in the pay medical practices receive for providing care to Medicare patients. Some wrongly think that this is a good way to reduce the cost of healthcare. They either are not anticipating the consequences or do not care. There is no question that adverse consequences will follow Congress’ action.
Think about your own business or even your own household. Would your business continue to operate as usual with a 20 percent reduction in revenue? If your personal income fell at the same rate, would it be business as usual at your house? The business of a medical practice is no different.
Two years ago, when proposed SGR reductions were smaller than they are today, an AMA poll of physicians found that 60 percent would limit the number of Medicare patients their practices would accept and 14 percent would stop seeing Medicare patients entirely. If solo practitioners and small groups survive the reduction in income, the numbers of Medicare patients cared for would be limited, some practices would cease providing care to Medicare patients and lastly, some practices would close their doors and stop practicing altogether.
If you think that you will not be affected by all of this because you are not a Medicare recipient, think again. When these cuts are implemented, there will be fewer medical practices offering services to patients. Wait times will be longer and the level of personal care delivered will be diminished.
After the roller-coaster ride of healthcare reform over the last year, healthcare professionals are worried about our ability to continue to provide patient care. We simply desire to help our patients and we want the government to stay out from between us and our patients. Please tell your senators and congressman to protect healthcare and to stop the reduction in the SGR. There are better ways to reduce healthcare costs
- David Spisak, Medical practice administrator
