Related Health Policy Memo: New 2008 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payment Rates Effective for Dates of Service July 1, 2008 through December 30, 2008 (July 16, 2008)

On July 15^th, the U.S. House of Representative and the U.S. Senate successfully overrode President Bush’s veto of H.R. 6331 (“The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008"), thus ensuring that patient access to quality and care would not be jeopardized.  Through calls and emails sent to Members of Congress by ASNC members and the entire cardiology community, the bipartisan support of the bill shows the true success and importance of grassroots efforts.

The new law includes an extension of the 0.5 percent update for the remaining half of 2008 and provides an additional 1.1 percent update for the year 2009.  The legislation specifies that the 0.5 percent payment update for the remainder of 2008 becomes effective July 1, so the 10.6 percent cut that was to be reflected in claims paid the week of July 14 will be cancelled (although payments made in the immediate future for services provided on or after July 1 will include the cut).  The bill extends the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) for two years and provides a 2 percent bonus for physicians who report PQRI measures in 2009 and 2010.  Finally, the legislation contains no new payment cuts to imaging services.  Instead, the bill focuses on quality through a two-year voluntary appropriateness criteria demonstration project and an accreditation requirement for advanced modalities. 

ASNC thanks all members who contacted their Senators and Representatives urging them to support this important policy.  Your efforts were key to this successful outcome.