Currently, CMS accepts the “vast majority” of price recommendations made by the RUC, but Rep. McDermott claims those recommendations are biased. He said the committee, which is comprised of members appointed by the American Medical Association, is “unevenly weighted by procedural specialists over primary care doctors and relies heavily on anecdotal and self-serving survey evidence,” according to the report.
Under the bill, the newly created panel overseeing the RUC would review all work of its work, hold open meetings, publish minutes and include patient representatives, according to the report.
The AMA has said discrepancies in Medicare pay to primary care physicians and specialists are not the RUC’s fault, according to the report, and any attempt to disempower the panel will hurt needed specialists.
More Articles on Medicare Reimbursement:
Panel: Fix SGR by Cutting Increased Medicare Payments for Hospital Services
AMA’s Physician Pay Committee Adds Two Seats for Primary Care
American Academy of Family Physicians Demands Higher Medicare Payments
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