This week’s health policy news roundup curated by Jane M. Orient, MD
The payment methodology in H.R. 2, though averting immediate severe cuts, is still a system of price controls. The “updates” over the next few years will not keep pace with physicians’ cost increases. Some physicians may see a bonus for use of an Alternative Payment Model (APM) or Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), but when the pools of money for supporting these run out in 2025, most physicians will see a pay cut. In other words, it is another short-term fix, not a permanent one. http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/cms-actuary-says-sgr-bill-is-short-term-fix/385761/
So why are 700-plus medical societies thrilled?
To understand this, one needs to read the bill. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2/text
Somebody will help the Secretary determine who is an “MIPS-eligible professional,” develop the process for comprehensive group practice assessment, set up “performance categories,” and create risk adjustment factors, quality metrics, resource use measures, and on and on.
EHR “meaningful use” is just the beginning. There will be “global measures” of “population outcomes.”
An “eligible professional organization” is defined (p 36) as “a professional organization as defined by nationally recognized specialty boards of certification or equivalent certification boards.”
In Title II, Subtitles A and B, all kinds of programs and funding are extended.
A number of complex miscellaneous provisions that might not pass if scrutinized are stuffed into a fat, must-pass, don’t-read sausage.
Which patients will do the worst on quality and outcomes measures? The sickest ones, of course. That is why the new payment system is like ObamaCare’s Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), writes David Hogberg. http://dailycaller.com/2015/04/13/medicare-doc-fix-bill-is-ipab-lite/
Shall we “fix” SGR by creating the ultimate death panel?
Seen on Social Media:
'Doc Fix' Bill Undermines Quality Healthcare http://t.co/VxA0G2bv3j
— Kris Held,MD (@kksheld) April 14, 2015
