Saturday, June 5, 2010

Drivers of MD reimbursement cuts

Congress may soon pass a bill that cuts physician reimbursement from Medicare by as much as 21%

What's driving the cuts?

* High federal budget deficit is putting pressure on federal government to cut MD reimbursement (Remember: Government is THE largest healthcare payer)
* Inclination of state governments to regulate (limit) insurance premium increases on individuals will likely drive lower payment by state government to hospitals and doctors
* Private insurers will likely renegotiate contracts with providers to cut reimbursement rates if both federal and state governments cut MD reimbursement rates

Are there other drivers?

John Wooden is no more

"Learn as if you were to live forever; live as if you were to die tomorrow"

"Don't give up on your dreams, or your dreams will give up on you"

John Wooden will always remain a guiding light.