CardioBrief

The ACC has gone into full battle mode to fight proposed CMS cuts to reimbursement for cardiology services.

ACC CEO Jack Lewin writes in his blog: “We have been rocked by this proposal and now it’s time to roll!” But the ACC appears to be more in a mood to “lock and load”  than “rock ‘n roll.” According to a special edition of the ACC Advocate newsletter, the CMS proposal could results in cuts of 30% or more for many cardiology practices.

The CMS cuts are still only proposals, and, writes Lewin to ACC members, “your ACC is fighting this change at all levels through CMS, Congress and the Administration. ACC President Fred Bove, and your elected officers and Washington-based staff are all over this crisis on your behalf.”

Not everyone agrees with the ACC and Lewin, however. As the ACC’s response is not terribly surprising, it’s equally unsurprising that the AAFP (American Association of Family Physicians) looks far more kindly on the CMS proposals. An article on the AAFP website notes that not everyone shares the enthusiasm of family physicians for the proposed changes:

“By law, the CMS proposal has to be budget-neutral, and certain subspecialty groups, whose payments would be negatively affected by the proposed changes, oppose the proposed rule. For example, the American College of Cardiology, or ACC, describes the proposed rule as ‘a grave threat to cardiology practices and the patients they serve.’ The association has vowed to ‘wage an aggressive campaign to prevent implementation of these damaging policies.’”

“‘I would tell the subspecialists that ‘We are all in this together for the good of taking care of patients,’” said Epperly [AAFP president]. “What this proposed rule does is to help the primary care part of the equation become whole.’”

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