The proposed formula would also take prescription drugs out of the spending targets and take into account Medicare coverage decisions when setting targets, according to Rich Trachtman, American College of Physicians legislative affairs director. But the formula would still lead to deep payment cuts starting in 2010, so there is an understanding the updates for 2010 and beyond would require additional action, he said.
But the American College of Cardiology expressed problems with the House bill's new structure for Medicare payments. The structure would be based on a system of separate expenditure targets that would not take into account the appropriate growth in services, including many common cardiovascular services, the ACC asserted. “While the ACC appreciates congressional efforts to stop Medicare physician payment cuts, it is critical that any new payment structure is fair to all physicians,” it said in a statement.
The bill would also waive cost sharing for Medicare beneficiaries for certain preventive services, including cardiovascular screening blood tests and diabetes screening tests.