The “Doctor Fix” and the SGR or sustainable growth rate formula is a topic that I have focused on every spring…and you should too! If it takes affect, reimbursement from CMS would plummet over night and many medical practices would disappear!
My friends at AMA Patient’s network posted the following plea and I urge you to take it seriously!
ALERT:
Next week the U.S. House of Representatives will be in recess, and legislators are heading home for one last district work period before a potentially disastrous March 31 deadline jeopardizes Medicare access for millions. Because district work periods are constituent-focused, this may be the last and best chance to remind your representative that Congress has a responsibility to avert this disaster by once and for all repealing Medicare’s flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula.
Each year, the SGR formula threatens payment cuts that will impact patients’ choice of physician and access to the care they need. Last year Congress came together in a bicameral, bipartisan manner and introduced a bill to repeal the SGR once and for all. Unfortunately, this bipartisan legislation stalled and Congress kicked the can down the road with another patch that is set to expire on March 31.
Time is running short! That’s why we need you to contact your Members of Congress and let them know how important passing permanent SGR repeal before the deadline is to protect and preserve our Medicare system!
Send an email, or call Congress today at (888) 434-6200. You will be connected with the district office for your U.S. representative.
The current Medicare system is broken. Real reform that will transform the program into an effective, 21st-century model of care is achievable this year, but it cannot be built on the crumbling foundation of Medicare’s SGR formula.
Take advantage of this time when your member of Congress is back at home: Email or call (888) 434-6200 to be connected with their district office and tell them to continue working to repeal the SGR.
