As the House of Representatives prepares to begin debate, and possibly vote, on the Medicare Sustained Growth Rate repeal (HR 3961), other changes in the Medicare reimbursement policy will slightly favor physicians in primary care, while cutting the reimbursement rates to other specialists, especially those in nuclear medicine, cardiology, radiology, and urology.

With an across-the-board 21% cut coming January 1st, members of the House are trying to schedule a vote on HR 3961 this week, having already passed rules that to limit debate and prevent a filibuster.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill would increase the fees paid to physicians under Medicare by almost $200 billion over 10 years. There would also be higher spending for Medicare Advantage and the Department of Defense’s TRICARE program.

The entirety of the bill can be read here at the House site in pdf format. Search for docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_sgr1.pdf

If this bill, or a similar one, does not become law, physicians are facing not only the 21% cut, but certain specialties face additional cuts over the next three years (see chart). While radiologists face a 5% average cut in Medicare payments next year, this is on top of the 23% reduction in medical imaging rates from the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (see chart below).

All figures below are from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, "Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2010," in the Federal Register from Oct. 30