Today the House passed HR 4213, a controversial tax extenders bill that includes a provision to block the 21.3% Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) cut through the end of 2011. The vote to prevent the June 1 cut was 245-171. The measure would also provide a 2.2% update to provider payments for the rest of 2010 and an additional 1% for 2011.
The bill will also need to pass the Senate, which has adjourned for the Memorial Day recess and plans to return on June 7. Due to a lack of final action, the SGR cut will technically take effect on June 1. In the meantime, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have instructed Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to hold claims for 10 business days to provide more time for Congress to act without affecting provider payments. Congress is expected to apply any payment adjustments retroactively.
As you know, the current situation is untenable for the Medicare program, patients, and providers. This is the third time that Congress has worked to postpone the SGR cut this year alone. APAPO continues to lobby legislators to not only prevent the cut, but to enact a permanent solution.
We will keep you posted.
Jeff Cook, J.D.
Director of Field & State Operations
American Psychological Association Practice Organization
750 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5875 (Office)
(202) 336-5797 (Fax)
jco…@apa.org (click to verify and reveal email)
Republished with permission: APAPO
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