government
AAFP will stay on the RUC
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 26, 2012
The primary organization representing family physicians will remain on an AMA-convened committee that recommends Medicare payment changes for individual services, following a recent increase in primary care representation on the board.
The American Academy of Family Physicians announced its decision to continue participation on the American Medical Association/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee, or RUC, following the AAFP's March board of directors meeting.
Family physicians and other primary care doctors have criticized the RUC process, saying it has contributed to payment disparities that favor specialty services over primary care. However, the association decided it would better serve its members and the millions of patients they treat by staying with the RUC, said AAFP President Glen R. Stream, MD.
"By remaining in the RUC, we can continue to influence its work from the inside," Dr. Stream said. "This affords us the opportunity for greater representation and stronger influence and the opportunity to exert further leadership."
In February, the RUC added permanent seats for the American Geriatrics Society and an active primary care physician. But the AAFP said it was disappointed that the panel did not adopt further modifications the association had requested. Family physicians will continue to advocate for more representation on the 31-member committee, including new seats for primary care and representatives outside of medicine, and for the elimination of three rotating subspecialty seats, Dr. Stream said.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/03/26/gvbf0326.htm.
