The Doc Fix Home Care Path

Many seniors today rely on Medicare to see the physician. The Congressional Budget Office uses a portion of a budget tool called SGR (sustainable growth rate) in documentaing baseline projections for Federal expense reports. The Congressional Budget Office using SGR Sustainable Growth Rate values indicate a 21 percent reduction in fees paid to Medical Doctors by the Federal Health (Medicare) program. The fear felt by all is that physicians will walk away from Medicare. Medical Doctors would no longer accept the rate of reimbursement paid by Medicare for health visit services. This past June 2010 Senate approved a 6 month plan to prevent cuts to Doctors fees paid by Medicare. In June 2010 the Senate approved a 6.4 billion dollar measure that will reverse the 21 percent cut aimed at Doctor payments through Medicare. Legislator's argued the cost will be offset by a change in Medicare billing regulations, some anti-fraud provisions, and tightening the pension rules. Why just 6 months. A permanent Doc Fix would involve Congressional mandates to insure means of payment. A permanent Doc Fix requires legislators to define in detail the source of the money to assure fiscal feasability of the Federal mandates. The six month Doc Fix insures needed access to health care for many of the Nations seniors.