December 23, 2013 — Congress is unlikely to pass legislation before the end of the year that would allow for permanent repeal of the Medicare provider payment formula known as the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR).
However, the House Rules Committee is considering a measure that would provide relief for physicians who are facing an almost 24-percent rate cut scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. The measure would provide a three-month payment patch that gives physicians a 0.5 percent increase in their Medicare reimbursement rates as a means of encouraging lawmakers to continue work next year on legislation to replace the Medicare physician reimbursement system.
ACA will continue to closely follow the negotiations. For SGR updates, visit acatoday.org/medicare.
