While the House has 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 Senate has still not yet taken action. The measure would provide a 2.2% update to provider payments for the rest of 2010 and an additional 1% for 2011. Check the end of this announcement for instructions on how to contact your Congressperson along with a suggested message.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) had notified Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to temporarily hold claims; however, since Congress is likely to fail to address the problem within 10 business days of the deadline, the MACs will begin processing claims at lower reimbursement rates next week. Any legislation that is eventually adopted by Congress is expected to apply to payments retroactive to June 1.
Psychologists and their patients need and deserve immediate action by Congress. If you have not already, your legislators need to hear from you that Congress must immediately halt the 21.3% cut to Medicare provider payments and should permanently replace the flawed SGR formula.
Targets:
All U.S. Senators and Representatives
Action:
Click here to urge your Senators and Representativevto immediately halt the SGR cut
If you are not able to reach the Legislative Action Center from the above link, please paste this address in your browser: http://capwiz.com/apapractice/issues/alert/?alertid=14871116.
Grassroots feedback is extremely important to our advocacy efforts, so we would very much appreciate it if you would e-mail ([email protected]) or fax (202-336-5797) us any substantive responses (other than auto-responses) you receive from your Senators or Representative.
Message:
I am writing as a constituent and psychologist to urge you to immediately halt the 21.3% Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate cut retroactive to June 1 and work to permanently replace the flawed SGR formula as soon as possible. This cut will have severe consequences for patient access to quality mental health care and must be addressed immediately. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Marilyn Richmond, J.D.,
Assistant Executive Director for Government Relations
American Psychological Association Practice Organization
Republished with permission: APAPO
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