U.S. SENATE VOTES TO FREEZE MEDICARE CUTS –  WHAT SHOULD PHYSICIANS & PATIENTS DO?

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS NOW

Once again, the U.S. Senate has voted to freeze physicians’ Medicare payment rates – forestalling a 21.2% cut that would have otherwise affected all claims for services provided in March. The freeze extends 2009 rates until April 1, 2010. The Senate voted 78 to 19 to approve the freeze. Senator Cornyn voted against the measure. Senator Hutchison did not vote.

It is extremely important that you contact your elected officials in Washington to express your concerns about the need for a permanent fix to Medicare SGR. Only you can explain to them how this issue personally affects your practice and your ability to care for your patients.

Ask your patients to call their elected representatives and senators as well. Your patients also have personal implications to consider and it is important that they communicate their concerns to their elected officials immediately.

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WHAT TMA & BCMS ARE DOING FOR YOU & YOUR PATIENTS

There are several resources available for you, your practice and your patients:

For physicians: www.texmed.org/meltdown (talking points, etc.)

For patients: www.MeandMyDoctor.com

Find Your Legislator: TMA Grassroots Action Center

Watch videos of TMA members explaining how the Medicare Meltdown is affecting their patients and their practices.

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March 17 is the deadline to decide whether to change your Medicare participation status. Signing a participation agreement means you agree to accept assignment for all covered services that you provide to Medicare patients in 2010. You have three options.

If you choose to participate in 2010:

• Do nothing if you currently participate.
• If you are not currently a Medicare participant, complete the agreement and mail it to TrailBlazer Health Enterprises. The change would be effective Jan. 1, 2010.

If you decide not to participate:

• Do nothing if you do not currently participate.
• If you are currently a participant, write to each Medicare contractor to which you submit claims, advising of your termination effective Jan. 1.

If you decide to opt out of the Medicare program:

• PAR physicians' opt-out affidavit must be submitted 30 days before the next calendar quarter (i.e., Jan. 1, April 1, July 1, and Oct. 1) showing an effective date of the first date in that calendar quarter.
• Non-PAR physicians may opt out at any time.
• Before opting out, refer to TrailBlazer's Medicare Opt-Out Guidelines for Physicians/Practitioners [PDF].

The Participation Agreement (CMS-Form 460) is available on the CD-ROM distributed by TrailBlazer Health Enterprises and is posted on the TrailBlazer Web site. Return the form to: Medicare Part B, Participation Agreement, PO Box 650544
Dallas, TX 75265-0544

Neither BCMS or TMA can advise you which direction to take, but there is a recorded one-hour Web seminar with detailed information about your participation options and the consequences of those choices.

Information provided as a service from the Bexar County Medical Society.

Bexar County Medical Society
(210) 301-4391
(210) 301-2150 Fax

Visit our web site at www.bcms.org.

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