12/16/2013    

PODIATRY AND HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION

Podiatrists Added to Senate Version of SGR Bill

 

On December 12, the Senate Finance Committee held a markup of a legislative proposal related to repealing the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) for determining physician reimbursement of Medicare services and implementing healthcare extenders. The Committee considered the following bill: SGR Repeal: "The SGR Repeal and Medicare Beneficiary Access Improvement Act of 2013" introduced by Senator Baucus (D-MT), would repeal and replace the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) while tying payments to quality and efficiency and incentivizing alternative payment models. Additionally, it contains permanent funding for some 'extenders' while consolidating and winding down others.

 

Senator Schumer (D-NY) offered an amendment (Schumer #4) which, as he described it, would enhance patient access to podiatrists while recognizing them as physicians under Medicaid guidelines. He stressed the need for expanding podiatric care, particularly among poor communities where diabetes rates are high. He noted that podiatrists have been defined as physicians under Medicare but not Medicaid. He said the amendment would not mandate any new Medicaid services or benefits. The amendment was adopted by a voice vote.

 

Source: Williams & Jensen, PLLC, Congressional Markup Report [12/13/13]