TMA Calculates Impact of Medicare Fee Cut
Medicare payments to physicians dropped 2 percent on April 1 because of the federal budget sequester. TMA's Payment Advocacy Department analyzed the impact of the fee reduction and compiled a list of answers to questions you may have.

Medicare Sequester Fee Cut Begins April 1
Medicare will cut physician payments for fee-for-service claims with dates of service on or after April 1 by 2 percent, thanks to the failure of Congress and President Obama to avoid across-the-board federal spending reductions required by the federal budget sequestration that took effect March 1.

Fix It First
Reform recommendations by the Texas Medical Association Medicaid Congress are a critical component of a TMA Board of Trustees resolution offering support for a bipartisan, flexible approach to expanding Medicaid coverage to more of the state's uninsured, namely low-income parents and childless adults. Finding a way for Texas to expand Medicaid coverage is among more than 100 different recommendations the Medicaid Congress researched and developed with input from diverse physician specialties and geographic regions across Texas. Doctors hope the recommendations will factor into the many Medicaid discussions expected to take center stage this legislative session and beyond. The program already is the subject of several bills that aim to save money by expanding Medicaid managed care, adding quality-based payment initiatives, and fighting fraud.

Sequester Cuts Medicare Fees Starting April 1
Medicare payments to physicians will drop 2 percent because Congress and President Obama failed to avoid the sequestration budget cuts. Although the sequestration takes effect March 1, an American Medical Association advisory says the Medicare fee reductions will not begin until April 1.

Congress Takes Up Medicine's Plea on SGR, IPAB
TMA officials are optimistic about proposals to reform Medicare's physician payment system this year, a top goal for the association's federal legislative agenda.

TMA’s 2013 Federal Legislative Agenda
Here’s something Congress can do to make an immediate, positive impact on health care: It’s time to eliminate costs and hassles that don’t contribute or add value to patient care. New regulations and mandates are bombarding physician practices seemingly every day. Last January, a new electronic format for claims and other electronic transactions (called “HIPAA 5010”) added costs to physician practices. The switch to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems version 10 (ICD-10) next year will require physicians to adopt an entirely new language to record all possible diagnoses and inpatient procedures, adding significant training costs.

TMA Urges Passage of IPAB Repeal Bill
Repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), created in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), is one of TMA’s top legislative priorities. Not only do we sincerely appreciate you filing S 531, but we’re also grateful for you publicizing its importance to the nation’s health care.