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medpundit |
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Monday, September 23, 2002The Medicare payment for a unit of red blood cells — about a pint — would be cut 39 percent, to $83 next year, from $137 this year. ...The payment for inserting a battery-operated pacemaker and defibrillator would be cut 59 percent, to $12,102, from $29,360 ...The Medicare payment for a breast biopsy would be cut 27.5 percent, to $290 from $400. For injection of cisplatin, a commonly used cancer drug, the payment would be reduced 43 percent, to $24 from $42. For Remicade, a drug given intravenously to people with rheumatoid arthritis, the payment would be cut 39 percent, to $38.50 from $63. For Avonex, an injectable, genetically engineered drug used by people with multiple sclerosis, the payment would be reduced 36 percent, to $144 from $225. Hospitals would get 67 percent less for implanting an infusion pump, used to deliver medication for severe intractable pain. The payment would be cut to $1,346 from $4,079. ...For the blood-clotting factor most widely used by people with hemophilia, the payment would be cut 54 percent, to 52 cents a unit from $1.12. This would reduce to $1,300, from $2,800, the payment for a typical infusion provided to a hemophiliac in a hospital outpatient department. The government has decided that they get too many bills for outpatient procedures, so their response is to cut payment. They’re wrong to assume that the hospitals are marking up their charges. Reimbursement is already miserably low, there’s just more people out there who require the services. The problem is compounded by the fact that private insurance companies base their fees on Medicare, so they’ll be sure to follow suit. If these cuts take effect, hospitals will have no choice but to stop offering services. Between the malpractice insurance crisis and poor reimbursement, hospitals and doctors are going to be squeezed out of business. ADDENDUM: If you're interested, here's a pretty good run-down on the history of Medicare. posted by Sydney on 9/23/2002 08:10:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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