Medicare

With substantial Medicare reforms being proposed in Congress, the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) will keep you abreast of changes in payment methodologies, reimbursement, CMS policy, and incentive programs. Of significant concern to physicians and patients are the ongoing reimbursement challenges posed by the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. On Dec. 15, 2010, physicians were granted a one-year reprieve from the looming Medicare physician payment cut. MSV strongly advocated for this one-year delay and will continue to push for fair compensation that will preserve access to health care for Virginia's Medicare patients.

As of March 19, 2011, Palmetto GBA is the new Virginia Part B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). Trailblazer Health, the old Medicare administrator for Virginia, is a sister company to Palmetto GBA and the two companies partnered to ensure a smooth transition for providers.

Resources

eHealth incentives Knowledgebase

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Web site

Palmetto GBA Jurisdiction 11 Part B (J11B) Web site 

December update to the Medicare deductible, coinsurance and premium rates for 2013 (palmettogba.com)

Medicare secondary payer fact sheet (cms.gov PDF)

Medicare appeals proccess (cms.hhs.gov PDF)

Locum tenens Q&A
15 August 2006