decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2010 Issue 9 (September)
Medical associations blast CMS's e-prescribing penalty program, SGR cuts
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Article Overview
This article reviews objections and recommendations from physician groups and medical associations on CMS’s proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule policies. It focuses on broad operational and payment issues such as e-prescribing incentives and penalties, sustainable growth rate cuts, consultation billing, Medicare Economic Index changes, PQRI reporting and appeals processes, and primary care incentive payment interpretation. The piece is relevant to physicians, medical group administrators, and coding/compliance professionals tracking Medicare policy changes.
Why This Topic Matters
These proposals can affect physician reimbursement, reporting workflows, and participation requirements across multiple Medicare programs.
Article Sections
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E-prescribing penalties and incentives
Comments on CMS’s proposed e-prescribing reporting and payment adjustments, including concerns raised by medical associations and physician groups.
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Sustainable growth rate (SGR) cuts
Industry reactions to scheduled Medicare payment reductions under the SGR formula and their potential impact on medical practices.
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Consultation code billing changes
Discussion of objections to changes in consultation billing policy under the physician fee schedule and related specialty concerns.
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Medicare Economic Index (MEI) changes
Comments urging CMS to reconsider proposed MEI revisions and the weighting of major cost components.
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PQRI reporting, feedback, and appeals
Recommendations related to Physician Quality Reporting Initiative processes, including reporting thresholds, feedback reports, and appeals handling.
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Primary care incentive payments
Support for expanding access to primary care incentive payments and clarifying how payment totals are interpreted.
What You Will Learn
- The major Medicare policy topics addressed in the article.
- Why medical associations objected to CMS’s proposed e-prescribing penalty approach.
- Which broader physician fee schedule issues were raised in the comments.
- How the article frames reporting, incentive, and appeals concerns across CMS programs.
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Medical group administrators
- Coding and compliance professionals
- Practice managers
- Health care policy readers
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