A Seattle clinical breast radiologist is calling forthcoming Medicare cuts to the specialty “unconscionable,” while predicting widespread delays and care rationing, if Congress fails to act soon.
Michael Ulissey, MD, gave the example of a recent breast cancer survivor who wants to schedule follow-up imaging, but finds it’ll be six months before a mammography appointment opens.
“This is what millions of Americans could face come Jan. 1, 2021, if something isn't done soon,” Ulissey, with CDI Women's Centers near Seattle, wrote in a CNN Business op-ed published Thursday. “In the aftermath of COVID-19, if this change moves forward, it is likely to be catastrophic to the medical profession,” he added later.
The physician is referencing payment reductions to radiology and other specialties, set to hit in two months, to make up for corresponding pay raises in primary care. All told, the move amounts to a 5% reduction in valuations for all nonprimary care services and procedures in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Numerous doc groups have lobbied hard against the change, with a few MD politicians joining the fray earlier this month.
Ulissey urged lawmakers to take action by either temporarily waiving budget neutrality requirements or authorizing emergency funds to “cover the gap.”
“This is unconscionable, and it's worse because there's an easy fix,” he wrote.
Read more of his CNN “Perspectives” piece below.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.