Abstracts » Health

Overhauling Medicare pay

Article Abstract:

Officials of the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) hope to modify the conversion factors that pay surgeons higher Medicare fees than primary care physicians and other nonsurgical specialists. The reforms would take effect in 1996 at the same time as a law passed in 1989 that set a Medical Volume Performance Standard limiting the total a doctor may receive. The HCFA and the American Medical Assn urge Congress to set a single update of 1.1% for all categories.

Health Programs, Laws, regulations and rules, Compensation and benefits, Public health

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Physicians still can suggest modifications in Medicare values

Article Abstract:

Medicare's change to a relative value scale payment system is proceeding smoothly, but physicians still have until Mar 24, 1992, to recommend changes. The values established by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) are designed to be temporary and re-evaluated before finalization in Jan 1993. The HCFA is inviting detailed clinical comments on the three components of the value scale: work, practice costs and liability insurance costs.

Admin. of public health programs, Admin. of social & manpower programs, Economic aspects, Relative value scale payment systems (Medical care)

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Medicare reviews values

Article Abstract:

The Health Care Financing Administration will conduct a five-year review of relative values used to determine Medicare payments to physicians under the resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) in Jan 1997. The RBRVS assigns physician payments based on a code used to describe physicians' services. Proposed modifications are expected to benefit family physicians and several surgical and medical subspecialties.

Health Care Services, Finance, Medical care

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