Doctors to take 21.2 Percent Medicare Pay Cut

BULLETIN -

March 1, 2010
Starting today, inaction in the U.S. Senate has forced a
21.2 percent pay cut to doctors who participate in the
Medicare program, according to a top Texas doctor.

Texas Medical Association President William H. Fleming, III,
M.D., blamed Congress' "decade-long failure to devise a
rational Medicare physician payment plan," according to a
press release dated last Friday.

He termed this an "insult" to Medicare and disabled patients
nationwide.

Here's how the situation shaped up, according to Dr.
Fleming.

When Senators could not find a way to pass a 30-day
extension bill last week by unanimous consent, the cut in
payments went into effect.

One Senator, Jim Bunning, R.-Ky, objected "because the $10
billion cost of the program would not be offset," according
to Dr. Fleming.

The government has instructed at least one health care
provider, Trailblazer Health Enterprises, to hold physician
claims for 10 days so they can wait and see what will
happen. The medical association urged people and their
doctors to contact their senators and request an extension
on the funding bill to offset the sudden loss of funding.