You should see the “billings” now with payments to doctors ... they bill (for example, a cardiologist) a little over $200. I saw that come through the other day. Then Medicare tells the cardiologist that he’s only approved for somewhere around $80 or $90 of that original bill of over $200.
He has to accept that as “full payment” for Medicare payment and he cannot bill the patient anything more than what Medicare says it will pay - and “write off” the remainder of his bill. His only “other” option is to simply no longer take Medicare patients.
NOW, imagine all those doctors out there ... being told that on top of the over $200 bill, being knocked down to $80 or $90 ... tonight at midnight, that bill is knocked down another 21%.
About that time doctors are going to be tellng Medicare patients to “Get lost!” ... :-) ...
Yep, I work at Major Hospital. Effective 4/1/15 Medicare is holding paying claims until the 15th of this month in order to give Congress time to decide on the 21% cut in payments to Dr’s. Any claims prior to and at 3/31 are not affected. At 4/1/15 if Congress decides to cut, then the reduced payment amounts will be processed for those claims.
Quite frankly, this is the wrong bone to pick. Congress should find a way to reduce expenses by 21% SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE BUDGETS. We will lose even more Dr’s if this cut goes into effect. Imagine how hard it is for folks to find a Medicaid Dr now, it will be worse when Dr’s start refusing Medicare patients.