TMA president leery of Medicare payment cuts

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March 1 is a notable date for physicians; it’s the date when Medicare physician payment cuts across the country are slated to be cut by about 21 percent.

The cuts were slated to go into effect Jan. 1, but Congress delayed the cuts until later in the year.

The Texas Medical Association has been tracking the developments, and the following statement is from Dr. William Fleming III, president of the TMA, which is the largest state medical society in the nation and represents nearly 45,000 physicians.

“We’re just four days from a Medicare meltdown in this great country. The effects of the Medicare disaster go far beyond Medicare patients. In fact, it could affect every single Texan. Here is why: Most health insurance companies base their payments to physicians on Medicare rates. In some cases, insurance companies reduce their rates every time Congress freezes or cuts physician Medicare rates. But they don’t bother to freeze the premiums our patients and their employers are paying.

“For the past nine years, the cost of running a doctor’s office has increased dramatically. At the same time, what the government pays your doctor to care for Medicare patients has not kept pace. The flawed payment system is unsustainable. Since 2001, physicians’ costs have gone up 20 percent more than physicians’ Medicare payments. In fact, come March 1, when the 21.2 percent cut goes into effect, physicians will receive less from Medicare than they currently receive from Medicaid. This is appalling because no one pays less than Medicaid.

“Physicians simply cannot keep their doors open with few paying patients. Physicians are sick. We want to take care of our patients. That’s why we went to medical school in the first place. If Congress and President Obama truly want health system reform then they must fix the Medicare system. We need a rational Medicare physician payment system that automatically keeps up with the cost of running a practice and is backed by a fair, stable funding formula.”

TCC hosts clinics

Tarrant County College will host mass clinics and offer free H1N1 vaccinations. The vaccines are being offered to the general public and are being administered by the Tarrant County Health Department.

March 1: A clinic will be at TCC South Campus, at 5301 Campus Drive, from 2-7 p.m. The clinic will be on the second floor of the Student Center in the Living Room, Room SSTU 2105.

March 8: A clinic will be at the TCC Southeast Campus, at 2100 Southeast Parkway in Arlington, from noon to 5 p.m. The clinic will be in the North Ballroom.

March 10: A clinic will be at the TCC Northeast Campus, 828 W. Harwood Road in Hurst, from noon to 5 p.m. The clinic will be in the Student Center Galley, Room NTSU 1506A.

Methodist Mansfield honored

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center recently was honored with the Pro Patria Award from the U.S. Department of Defense as well as the Outstanding Business of the Year for 2009 award from the Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Pro Patria Award is from the Texas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, given to a civilian employer that has programs and policies that excel at supporting employees who serve in the military reserves, according to a release.

The Mansfield Chamber of Commerce recognized the medical center for its support of the chamber, its role supporting the economy of the city, innovative leadership and outstanding customer service, according to a release.

Cleburne hospital earns accreditation

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne earned a three-year accreditation from the American College of Radiology for its CT scans in adult and pediatric patients.

The hospital’s radiology department was evaluated by board-certified physicians and medical physicists, who ensured the equipment and personnel meet ACR standards. CT scans are images used to diagnose a variety of medical problems, such as cancer, trauma and cardiovascular disease.

Source: http://www.fwbusinesspress.com/display.php?id=12066