Health Policy & Advocacy
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What's New
Don't Forget to Register for the Advocacy Session
President Obama Signs Law Updating Medicare Physician Payment
UnitedHealth Group Lawsuit Settlement Claim Forms Sent
Group Practice Task Force Publishes White Paper on Practice Integration Opportunities
Don't Forget to Register for the Advocacy Session
When registering for Plastic Surgery 2011 in Toronto, don't forget to sign up for ASPS's advocacy session.
ASPS Advocacy Session
Course 716
Sunday, October 3
11:45 am-1:15 pm
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Register for both Plastic Surgery 2011 and the Advocacy Session here.
President Obama Signs Law Updating Medicare Physician Payment
On June 24, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962, the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010. The bill passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 417 - 1. This legislation provides Medicare physicians with a 2.2% payment update through November 30, 2010 and replaces the 21.3% cut currently in effect.
On June 25, President Obama signed into law the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010.
CMS has directed Medicare claims contactors to stop processing claims at the negative 21.3% rate and temporarily hold all June claims until the 2.2% update is loaded into processing systems. Claims are expected to be processed at the adjusted rate no later than July 1, 2010. CMS has announced that claims processed in June that reflect the negative update will be automatically reprocessed without action necessary by the physician.
UnitedHealth Group Lawsuit Settlement Claim Forms Sent
Physicians entitled to a portion of $350 million set aside by UnitedHealth Group Inc., to settle a class-action lawsuit - which alleged the nation's largest health insurer had been underpaying doctors and policyholders for more that a decade - will soon be receiving the paperwork necessary to submit their claims.
Group Practice Task Force Publishes White Paper on Practice Integration Opportunities
The ASPS Board of Directors convened the Group Practice Task Force to examine integration strategies and recommend additional resources to assist member plastic surgeons who are considering forming a group practice. Members of the Task Force have compiled their findings into the white paper, "Practice Integration Opportunities for Plastic Surgeons." Many case studies are provided throughout the document, which is divided into four major categories of group practice, including formal corporate practice; independent practice with shared facilities, personnel, etc.; unique group practice models; and centers of excellence.
