Opinion
Medicare drug benefit will come at the expense of physician reimbursement
LETTER — Posted Sept. 19, 2005
Regarding "CMS targets imaging services for fee cuts" (Article, Aug. 22/29):
This article tells us that next year Medicare will pay only half the usual fee for a second body part imaged on an MRI scan or other imaging.
We already know that physician fees will be cut next year.
The ultimate reason for the fee cuts is that Medicare Part D (prescriptions) competes for the same tax dollars as Medicare Part B (physicians). Medicare prescriptions will be paid for by taking the money from physicians.
Robert E. McMichael, MD, Arlington, Texas
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/09/19/edlt0919.htm.
Copyright © 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
