WASHINGTON—The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) today voiced its concern over the short-term solution known as the “doc fix” legislation passed by voice vote in the House of Representatives. APMA calls on Congress to discontinue use of these temporary fixes, and instead focus efforts on continuing bipartisan negotiations, working toward a permanent SGR replacement package that includes provisions of the APMA-sponsored HELLPP Act.
The one-year “doc fix” keeps Medicare payment levels at their current level and averts the 24-percent payment cut scheduled to take effect April 1. Instead, providers would see a 0.5-percent increase in payments through December 31, 2014. Payments would then revert to their current levels through April 15, 2015. The bill would also delay the ICD-10 transition until October 2015. While the delay does allow for additional time for preparation, it poses a significant financial and resource impact on entities that were heavily invested in the transition.
“APMA continues to work with members of Congress to replace the flawed sustainable growth rate formula as well as any burdensome requirements that adversely affect our members, including our collaborative goal of an orderly ICD-10 transition,” said APMA President Frank Spinosa, DPM. “APMA urges its members and all physician organizations to push for permanent Medicare payment reform.”
Contact APMA’s Legislative Advocacy department at advocacy@apma.org.
