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Survey on Impact of Medicare Cuts

In cooperation with other Bay Area medical societies, SCMA is conducting the following survey about the potential impact of the pending 21.3% cut in fees to physicians in the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) program (excludes Medicare HMOs). The Medicare FFS payment formula—known as the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR)—triggers recurring cuts and has kept payment rates unchanged or lower since 2001. To help educate the public about the impact of Medicare cuts, we would appreciate your completion of this survey by April 14.

To complete the survey, print this e-mail, mark your answers, and fax back to SCMA at 525-4328. You may also respond by e-mail to scma@scma.org. Questions may be directed to SCMA at 525-4375. Thank you.

1.         Primary Medical Specialty: ___________________________________

2.         Practice Size:
         □ Solo/Small Group (1-4 physicians)
         □ Medium Group (5-150)
         □ Large Group (151-1000)

3.         Practice Setting:
         □ Office-Based
         □ Hospital-Based
         □ Other _______________________

4.         How many years have you been in the Medicare FFS Program?
         □ 2 years or less
         □ 2 to 10 years
         □ More than 10 years
         □ I do not participate because of:
         □ poor reimbursement
         □ not applicable to specialty/practice
         □ other: _____________________________

5.         Approximate percentage of your patients in the Medicare FFS program? ______

6.         Approximate percentage change (if any) in the number of Medicare FFS patients since 2001 (year of last substantive Medicare pay increase): _______

7.         The 21.3% pay cut will affect my Medicare FFS patients as follows (check all that apply):

         □ Will not reduce the # of existing patients I treat
         □ Will reduce time for treating existing patients
         □ Will reduce the # of existing patients I treat
         □ Will stop treating all existing patients
         □ Will not reduce the # of new patients I accept
         □ Will reduce the # of new patients I accept
         □ Will stop accepting new patients

8.         Congress’ failure to stop future pay cuts will affect my Medicare FFS patients as follows (check all that apply):

         □ Will not reduce the # of existing patients I treat
         □ Will reduce time for treating existing patients
         □ Will reduce the # of existing patients I treat
         □ Will stop treating all existing patients
         □ Will not reduce the # of new patients I accept
         □ Will reduce the # of new patients I accept
         □ Will stop accepting new patients

9.         I am willing to help make the public aware of the impact of Medicare’s payment policies (via press conferences, interviews with news reporters, etc.)
         □ Yes  □  No   (if yes, please complete below)

Name (optional):                   ___________________________________

Contact number (optional):         ____________________________________

Please return to SCMA no later than April 14. Either fax to 525-4328 or e-mail scma@scma.org.

 

ABOUT SCMA

The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

© SCMA 2010
3033 Cleveland Ave. #104
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

 

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