Prevent an Extension of Medicare Payment Freeze
AOPA
Description
Collection
Title:
Prevent an Extension of Medicare Payment Freeze
Creator:
AOPA
Date:
4/4/2005
Text:
This year, lawmakers are contemplating an extension of the 3-year
Medicare payment freeze for an additional two years. This would mean
that all O&P facilities would be paid at 2003 levels through 2008.
For a facility with $2 million in annual sales, two more years of a
payment freeze will reduce revenue by at least $200,000 in 2007 and 2008
alone. This staggering figure assumes that only 35 percent of a
facility's payments are from treating Medicare beneficiaries. If the
other 65 percent of a facility's practice payments are tied to Medicare
payment rates, the total impact could mean a loss of as much as $570,000
in lost revenue. In an effort to prevent these cuts, the entire O&P
community should attend:
2005 O&P Policy Forum
June 20-22
Washington, D.C.
Grand Hyatt
While AOPA has a staff of lobbyists aggressively fighting for O&P
interests everyday on Capitol Hill, it is necessary to tell lawmakers
directly that an extension of the payment freeze is unwarranted.
Other issues to be addressed at the Policy Forum include: defeating
efforts by PTs to prescribe and provide O&P services; eliminate orthotic
services from the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment
system; and seek congressional help to fight burdensome and intrusive
Medicare audits.
For only $150 per registrant, you can help yourself, your business and
your profession. Registration fee covers hotel meeting expenses and
most meals. Register today at www.AOPAnet.org, or call AOPA at (571)
431-0876, ext. 201.
Medicare payment freeze for an additional two years. This would mean
that all O&P facilities would be paid at 2003 levels through 2008.
For a facility with $2 million in annual sales, two more years of a
payment freeze will reduce revenue by at least $200,000 in 2007 and 2008
alone. This staggering figure assumes that only 35 percent of a
facility's payments are from treating Medicare beneficiaries. If the
other 65 percent of a facility's practice payments are tied to Medicare
payment rates, the total impact could mean a loss of as much as $570,000
in lost revenue. In an effort to prevent these cuts, the entire O&P
community should attend:
2005 O&P Policy Forum
June 20-22
Washington, D.C.
Grand Hyatt
While AOPA has a staff of lobbyists aggressively fighting for O&P
interests everyday on Capitol Hill, it is necessary to tell lawmakers
directly that an extension of the payment freeze is unwarranted.
Other issues to be addressed at the Policy Forum include: defeating
efforts by PTs to prescribe and provide O&P services; eliminate orthotic
services from the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment
system; and seek congressional help to fight burdensome and intrusive
Medicare audits.
For only $150 per registrant, you can help yourself, your business and
your profession. Registration fee covers hotel meeting expenses and
most meals. Register today at www.AOPAnet.org, or call AOPA at (571)
431-0876, ext. 201.
Citation
AOPA, “Prevent an Extension of Medicare Payment Freeze,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 26, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/224737.
