ACR criticizes MedPAC recommendations for reimbursement cuts
The American College of Radiology (ACR) has expressed its opposition to draft recommendations aimed at eliminating the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) released by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), saying the recommendations are not based on sound evidence.
While the ACR is strongly in favor of “serious and properly designed proposals” to eliminate the SGR, MedPAC’s recent recommendations would only fragment the physician community and provide no benefit to patients, according to a statement released by ACR.
The ACR said the MedPAC recommendations include a proposal for two separate conversion factors which would result in a 5.9 percent reimbursement cut for most physicians, including radiologists and radiation oncologists, each of the next three years, while freezing reimbursement for primary care services at their current levels. All physician reimbursement would be frozen for seven years thereafter.
Instead of the proposed plan, the ACR suggested that MedPAC should reach out to the physician community to collaborate on a plan that avoids cuts to certain segments of the physician population while focusing on the accountable care philosophy.
While the ACR is strongly in favor of “serious and properly designed proposals” to eliminate the SGR, MedPAC’s recent recommendations would only fragment the physician community and provide no benefit to patients, according to a statement released by ACR.
The ACR said the MedPAC recommendations include a proposal for two separate conversion factors which would result in a 5.9 percent reimbursement cut for most physicians, including radiologists and radiation oncologists, each of the next three years, while freezing reimbursement for primary care services at their current levels. All physician reimbursement would be frozen for seven years thereafter.
Instead of the proposed plan, the ACR suggested that MedPAC should reach out to the physician community to collaborate on a plan that avoids cuts to certain segments of the physician population while focusing on the accountable care philosophy.
Evan Godt, Writer
Evan joined TriMed in 2011, writing primarily for Health Imaging. Prior to diving into medical journalism, Evan worked for the Nine Network of Public Media in St. Louis. He also has worked in public relations and education. Evan studied journalism at the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on broadcast media.