Medicare cuts may force rheumys to close doors

[Guest guest]

Medicare Cuts May Force Rheumatologists to Close Doors

There is a crisis looming for rheumatologists who treat Medicare patients.

The crisis may force more rheumatologists to close their doors to Medicare

patients, according to the American College of Rheumatology. Some

rheumatologists

have already been forced to make that decision. Rheumatologists are facing cuts

to physician reimbursement from Medicare. Reimbursements are based on a

formula known as The Sustainable Growth Rate -- a formula based on the

performance

of the overall economy. The medical needs of patients do not shrink whenever

the economy slows though, so the formula is flawed.

Congress has recognized for years that the formula for physician

reimbursement isn't working -- but it's still without a permanent fix. With

factors that

skew the formula, physician reimbursement is dropping while physician costs

continue to rise. Cuts to physician reimbursement will affect all doctors who

see

Medicare patients, not only rheumatologists, but there's already a problem

with access to care from rheumatologists. In many areas of the country, patients

who need to consult with a rheumatologist are forced to wait several weeks or

months. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is essential for management

of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. The Medicare reimbursement crisis

will only serve to amplify an already existing shortage of rheumatologists in

the United States, making access to early treatment more difficult. You can

help by urging your members of Congress to repeal the cuts.

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