A group of cardiologists is suing Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to prevent cuts in Medicare fees for nuclear stress tests, echocardiograms, and other procedures performed in offices. (USA Today)
Reimbursements for nuclear stress tests would be cut by 40 percent and echocardiograms fees by about 30 percent. Additionally, physicians would see a 21 percent reduction next March.
The suit alleges that such cuts would result in cardiologists closing offices, selling equipment, and performing these specialized procedures at a higher cost in hospitals. Incidentally, the proposed cuts are not part of the health care reform bill. Lawmakers sought to expand Medicare by reducing the age eligibility from 65 to 55. The proposal was defeated.
Cardiology is a specialty in which doctors use expensive equipment. Cutting Medicare fees for these services would be a detriment. CEO of the American College of Cardiology Jack Lewin said, “What they’ve done is basically killed the private practice of cardiology.”
Victor Fuchs, a professor of health economics at Stanford University, said, “What you really need is a reimbursement system that brings about a more rational use of these devices and a more rational investment in them. That’s never going to happen without a lot more pain and suffering on the part of the people who are affected by the shift.”
Cardiologists quoted in the story say they’re already lower-paid in rural areas. Reimbursement cuts would reduce patient loads, especially in these areas.
