Congress reverses Medicare physician pay cut in last-minute action

In the last two days of the 109th Congress, lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate overwhelmingly voted to stop the scheduled 5.1 percent Medicare physician payment rate cut. The increased work value for many evaluation and management services still stands as it did in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ final rule on the 2007 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, released on November 1. This means that many family physicians will see an increase in Medicare payments in 2007, according to Kevin Burke, director of AAFP’s division of government relations.

“We at the American Academy of Family Physicians are grateful Congress has realized the valuable care family physicians and other doctors provide,” said AAFP President Rick Kellerman, M.D., in an official statement. “By passing the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (HR 6111), Congress is acknowledging the work of the doctors who are the foundation of the entire health care system — front-line, family physicians who care for millions of patients of all ages, in all types of communities, nationwide everyday.”

As part of an increased emphasis on preventive screening, Medicare will begin covering ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) for at-risk beneficiaries. AAA affects between 6 and 9 percent of men over 65 and is the 10th leading cause of death for men over 55, according to the CMS press release. Other barriers for screening services have also been lifted or modified. For example, Medicare has expanded the number of beneficiaries who qualify for bone mass measurement due to long-term steroid therapy, and it has exempted colorectal cancer screening from the Part B deductible.

Commenting on the ruling, CMS Acting Administrator Leslie V. Norwalk said in a CMS press release, “The rule we are announcing today will pay physicians more for the time they spend talking with their patients about their health care. We believe that this emphasis on personalized care will lead to better outcomes for patients, and more efficient use of health care resources.”

The rule released by CMS included the five-percent across-the-board reduction in the Medicare physician payment rate that would have become effective on Jan. 1, 2007. However, the tax and trade bill passed by Congress prevents the implementation of this five-percent cut in physician payment. It also extends the minimum payment made under by the Geographic Physician Cost Index (GPCI) and authorizes a federal demonstration of the AAFP-supported patient-centered medical home.

For more detailed information on the 2007 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, read the CMS press release or CMS fact sheets on preventive services and imaging services.

State: Eligibility extended to 143 special needs kids

The Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program, which serves children with extraordinary medical needs, disabilities and chronic health conditions, has announced that 143 clients on its waiting list are now eligible to receive full health care benefits. These benefits include payments for medical care, family support services and related services not covered by Medicaid, CHIP, private insurance or others. The newly eligible group will present a gray Eligibility Form that shows the dates of services that are covered.

Providers with questions about an individual’s eligibility status may contact the CSHCN Services Program at (800) 252-8023 or the VIPS line at (800) 452-8729. Visit the CSHCN page of the Department of State Health Services Web site or read CSHCN’s December 5 letter to providers for more information.

Plano family physicians honored as Practice of the Year

When Physicians Practice, coined America’s leading practice management journal, recognizes a medical practice as Practice of the Year, it’s a big deal. When the Practice of the Year is a Texas family medicine practice, it’s an even bigger deal.

This year’s winner, Family Medical Specialists of Texas in Plano, is where Matthew Weyenberg, M.D., and TAFP members Christopher Crow, M.D., and Sander Gothard, M.D., practice. The three young family physicians are recognized for their innovative, aggressive use of technology, focus on disease prevention and management and ability to connect patient care with office efficiency that combine to make them stand out from all other medical practices in the country.

“Certainly we’re honored; we feel like we always ask the question, ‘what is best for the patient?’ and then go from there,” Crow says.

Read about the Practice of the Year, Family Medical Specialists of Texas, in the November/December 2006 issue of Physicians Practice. The site is for subscribers, but if you enter your ZIP code, position and specialty, you may view the full article for free.

Policy group releases Texas kids data book

The Center for Public Policy Priorities recently released “The State of Texas Children 2006,” its annual “Kids Count” data book that details the well-being of children across the state in areas such as health care, education and poverty. The 2006 edition also includes data tables on the state’s seven largest counties.

Along with the print version of the data book, the CPPP has released The State of Texas Children Online, a Web site that includes a sample of the data book, data profiles for the state and for each of Texas’ 254 counties, and data definitions and sources. An updated Community-Level Information on Kids (CLIKS) interactive database allows users to access data from previous years, print graphs, create maps and track trends.

Find more information about Texas “Kids Count,” order a copy of the data book or subscribe to the CPPP’s printed materials on the CPPP Web site.

Volunteer Physicians of the Day still needed

TAFP still needs volunteers to serve as Physician of the Day during the upcoming 80th Legislative Session. The program has provided a family physician for each convening of the Texas Legislature — including special sessions — since 1971.

The Physician of the Day staffs the Capitol Health Services Clinic and treats legislators, their staffs and any person on the capitol grounds needing care. All volunteer physicians are introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate by their district’s legislators and their names become part of the official legislative record. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a prescription pad and basic doctor’s bag.

This program is coordinated and organized by the Texas Academy of Family Physicians and co-sponsored by the Travis County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, Texas Osteopathic Medical Association and Texas Department of State Health Services. Only TAFP members can serve as Physician of the Day.

Sign up by contacting Kate McCann at TAFP headquarters. More information is available on TAFP’s Web site.

Register online for TAFP’s 2007 C. Frank Webber Lectureship

Online registration is now available for the 2007 C. Frank Webber Lectureship through the TAFP Web site. Join TAFP at the Hilton Austin Airport in Austin, Texas on March 2, 2007 for CME on current medical topics including autism, depression, vertebral compression fractures and ethics. On March 3, students and residents can attend the Texas Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Students. Limited travel scholarships are available for students and residents, request forms can be found on the TAFP Web site.

After registering, check the C. Frank Webber Lectureship page of the TAFP Web site often for an updated CME schedule, business schedule and in-depth hotel information.

Nominate a TAFP member for Physician of the Year or Physician Emeritus

Once again TAFP needs you to nominate outstanding individuals for the Family Physician of the Year and Physician Emeritus awards.

The Physician of the Year Award, one of TAFP’s highest awards, recognizes an outstanding physician who has provided the community with compassionate and caring medical service on a continuing basis, served the community through service activities and acted as a role model to his or her colleagues, young physicians and medical students. Nominees for Physician of the Year should be active, practicing members of AAFP and TAFP, have been in practice for at least 10 years with no plan to retire for at least two years and should spend at least 50 percent of the time in active practice and/or family medicine education.

The Physician of the Year Nomination packet must contain a completed nomination form, a typed copy of the physician’s current curriculum vitae limited to three pages and a current 5 inch by 7 inch black and white head and shoulders photo of the candidate. Supporting documentation should not exceed eight pages (not including the nomination form or CV) and must be photocopy-ready and of reproducible quality.

The Physician Emeritus Award honors a member who has contributed long and meritorious service to the specialty of family medicine. Consideration will be given to physicians who are retired or over age 70 and who are nominated by a TAFP chapter or by any active TAFP member in good standing.

The Physician Emeritus Nomination packet must contain a completed nomination form, a nominating letter from an active member of TAFP, a typed copy of a current CV limited to three pages and a current 5 inch by 7 inch black and white head and shoulders photo of the candidate. Supporting documentation should not exceed 10 pages on one side one (not including CV or the nomination form) and be photocopy-ready and of reproducible quality.

The entire packet should be mailed flat; do not fold. Nominations must be received by TAFP by February 2, 2007. Mail completed nomination packets to Kathy McCarthy, 12012 Technology Blvd, Austin, Texas, 78727. Find more information on TAFP’s Web site or by contacting Kathy McCarthy at kmccarthy@tafp.org or (512) 329-8666 ext. 14.

The Commission on Membership and Member Services will judge submissions and a member of the TAFP staff will notify winners in March 2007. Awards will be presented at the TAFP Annual Session and Scientific Assembly in Corpus Christi, Texas, July 25-29, 2007.

Copyright 2006, Texas Academy of Family Physicians