AAFP and GAFP Respond: We Are Fighting for a Medicare Fee Schedule that Works for Family Physicians

By sageisland

AAFP and GAFP Respond:  We Are Fighting for a Medicare Fee Schedule that Works for Family Physicians

Both the American Academy and the Georgia Academy have submitted a response to CMS’ proposed 2019 extensive rule change for Medicare payment.  The AAFP emphasized four points to CMS in its response to the proposed 2019 Medicare physician fee schedule: pay family physicians properly and slash their administrative burden, APMs are the best way to support family medicine, family physicians must be free to give patients the best care, and solo and small practices need better support.  To read the entire 80-page response from the AAFP click here:

https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/advocacy/payment/medicare/LT-CMS-2019ProposedMPFS-090618.pdf

In its letter, the Georgia Academy said in part:

Re:      CMS’ E&M Proposal Will Disproportionately Harm Small Practices

Support AAFP’s Proposed 15 Percent Increase for E&M Services by Primary Care Physicians

On behalf of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, I write in response to the proposed rule titled, “Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2019; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Quality Payment Program; and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program” published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the July 27, 2018, Federal Register.

The Georgia Academy commends your continued leadership and commitment to identifying and implementing policies that improve the Medicare program. We share your goals of reducing the administrative burden of modern medical practice and preserving independent physician practices. We support your stated goal of transforming the Medicare program into one that prioritizes the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered, comprehensive and efficient care.

We respectfully offer commentary on three high-level items for your consideration. The three items are:

  1. Priority Proposals in the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
  2. Impact on Medicare Beneficiaries
  3. Impact on Solo and Small Physician Practices

To read the entire letter click here:  https://gafp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Final-CMS-Rules-2019-Payment-GAFP-September-2018.pdf

The AAFP and the GAFP will push out information to our members as soon as a final decision by CMS has been reached.  Also, the renowned coding expert, Steve Adams, will spend four hours (CME credit) at our Annual Meeting on Friday, November 9th breaking down the 2019 Medicare payment changes.  Sign up now to attend the annual meeting (and bring your practice administrator).  Click here to see more information and register for the meeting www.gafp.org.