By now you’ve probably all heard that CMS has announced new reimbursement levels that will go into effect in January. The outcome for cardiology is horrible. Despite weeks of vehemently complaining about absurdly inaccurate and incomplete data on cardiology, CMS ignored us and is imposing new rates that cut cardiology up to 40 percent. The only token appeasement is they are letting the cuts sink in over a four-year period.
What can we do? The Chapter, as are all ACC Chapters across the country, is asking cardiologists to send letters to our state Congressional delegations demanding a moratorium on the new rates until transparent and validated data can be collected. (Interestingly, oncology also was targeted to be hit hard but at the 11th hour was allowed to substitute alternate data because it was judged the AMA data used for everyone else, including cardiology, was not reflective for oncology. Hmmmm.)
There are several attachments and instructions below:
Follow this link to Minnesota Representatives who sent a letter on our behalf to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services. We need to thank these members of Congress and ask them to keep fighting for us. Add your name to the names of Chapter leadership at the end of the letter.
Follow this link to Minnesota Representatives who have not sent a letter on behalf of cardiology yet. They need to hear from all of us to encourage them to take action on our behalf. Add your name to the names of Chapter leadership at the end of the letter
* Who are the Minnesota Senators and Representatives in Congress and what are their addresses? CLICK HERE.
Practice Assessment Pilot
The ACC is launching a pilot on cardiovascular practice assessment and recognition program. If interested, follow this link.
As always, if you have comments or suggestions, I’m ready to listen.