HHS seeks bigger Medicare surgical fee updates

Article Abstract:

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to reward surgeons for keeping expenses below Medicare volume performance standards, but the agency is also promoting a new fee schedule that would reduce surgical payments more rapidly than had been anticipated. HHS recommended that Congress approve surgical services fee updates of 2.5% and fee updates of 0.3% for non-surgical services in FY 1992. However, HHS is considering shortening the time allotted for transition to Medicare's new physician payment system. A faster transition is likely to reduce surgical payments more quickly than had been anticipated.

Compensation and benefits, Economic policy, Surgeons, United States. Department of Health and Human Services

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Unsnarl the Medicare regulatory tangle

Article Abstract:

In Sep 1992 the American Medical Association (AMA) appeared before the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council to present two issues regarding Medicare requirements. First, the AMA recommended that Medicare's annual letter to physicians explaining their payment options include payment schedule information under both systems. Second, the AMA stated that 'staff leasing' should not influence a doctor's Medicare reimbursement because physicians are free to staff their practice as they see fit and are held responsible for any type of employee. The AMA suggested several additional regulatory goals.

Admin. of social & manpower programs, Editorial

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Medicare considers cataract surgery coverage limit

Article Abstract:

New cataract surgery limitations may be imposed upon Medicare by the US government. A US General Accounting Office report written in 1993 claims that $204 million worth of inappropriate cataract surgery was paid for by Medicare in 1991. Surgery may not be performed in those cases that visual aids will assist vision adequately, the patient is not fit for surgery or the patient does not want surgery.

Administration of Public Health Programs, Health Care Services, Medical care, Surgery, Cataract, Cataract extraction

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