It is simple to opt out of Medicare – far simpler than staying in the Medicare program. Thousands of physicians have already opted out, and we have not heard a single regret by any of these physicians. Medicare endangers seniors, rations care and punishes the best doctors whose only aim is to give the best […]
Objections by AAPS to Proposed CPT codes 99497 and 99498 Re: CMS–1631–P The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a non-profit national organization of physicians founded in 1943, defends the patient-physician relationship and the practice of ethical medicine. Our motto is “omnia pro aegroto,” which means “all for the patient.” AAPS has commented on […]
The deadline for comments on a key method for facilitating early death is Tuesday just after Labor Day weekend. Buried in 250 pages of changes to the CPT procedural codes required to claim Medicare payment are two new ones, 99497 and 99498. These pay for end-of-life discussions with physicians or other “qualified professionals.” Such discussions […]
Writing in the winter issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, California physician Susan R. Hansen, M.D., asks whether some medical societies may be acting contrary to the interests of their members through their relationships with Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs). “A PPO is not an insurance company,” Hansen explains. “A PPO sells products […]
By: Lawrence R. Huntoon, M.D., Ph.D. Current procedural terminology (CPT) codes were developed by the American Medical Association (AMA) and were first published in 1966. According to the AMA website, CPT codes “…helped communicate accurate information on procedures and services to agencies concerned with insurance claims.…”1 CPT codes provide a standardized means for reporting medical […]
By: Tamzin A. Rosenwasser, M.D., On September 13, 2011, the Wall Street Journal noticed the Code Blue in the medical field. They have brought the coding disaster out into the open. Physicians have been dealing with the 18,000 codes of International Classification of Disease (ICD 9), coding their patients’ diagnoses, and the tests and procedures […]
The Sunday edition of the Chicago Tribune explains why the AMA may be supporting Washington’s takeover of medical care in the United States despite the uproar of physicians and patients. “As Democrats tout the American Medical Association’s endorsement of their health care overhaul, critics are pointing to their studious sidestepping of a little-known monopoly (on […]
AMA HCFA Agreement – CPT Monopoly – 1983 Chicago Tribune exposes AMA – “Medical billing code monopoly” – 12/29/09 Who does the AMA really represent? – by Linda Gorman Supreme Court hears case that could affect CPT codes – 10/09/2002 Brief for Amicus Curiae AAPS in Support of Petition for Writ of Certiorari (Veeck vs. […]
The Sunday edition of the Chicago Tribune explains why the AMA may be supporting Washington’s takeover of medical care in the United States despite the uproar of physicians and patients. “As Democrats tout the American Medical Association’s endorsement of their health care overhaul, critics are pointing to their studious sidestepping of a little-known monopoly (on medical billing codes) that sends millions […]