Fixing Medicare: resources are running out; act now to save the future

Article Abstract:

The American Medical Assn (AMA) has offered a variety of ideas to change Medicare in order to bring costs down and keep the program viable for future generations. They believe medigap policies should be discouraged, either by taxing such policies or merging Medicare's parts A and B and building in disincentives. The AMA also suggests allowing for more competition, reducing Medicare's economic inequities, considering privatization, and cutting expensive red tape and inefficiencies. If changes are not made, Medicare costs could reach $430 billion by 2004, before baby boomers even receive benefits.

Editorial, American Medical Association

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Medicare curbs sought - again

Article Abstract:

The Clinton administration is planning to make changes in the Medicare program that could include as much as $100 billion in spending cut-backs. It is possible that the cuts will take the form of spending caps for both private and public health plans and may also include changes in the relative value scale used to determine physician payments. The new provisions would begin in 1996 and extend through the year 2000. In spite of budget cuts, Medicare spending is expected to reach $235 billion by 1998, and must be reduced.

Health care reform

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Medicare 'surgery' ahead for RBRVS

Article Abstract:

Legislators are proposing changes to Medicare's physician payment system, which may lower surgery pay and raise payment for primary care physicians. The relative value scale will be reviewed for a five-year period with the goal of reducing payment disparity. A single conversion factor will be evaluated to replace the three different conversion factors used to determine payment rates among primary care, surgery and other services. Geographic payment areas will also be taken into account.

Health Care Services, Health care industry, Medical care, Relative value scale payment systems (Medical care)

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