MGMA: MD groups limit Medicare patient access

When reading this, bear in mind that a group practice trade association has its own motives in publicizing such a study. That being said, the following data is worth a look. According to recently published data from the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), group practices across the U.S. have begun to limit access for Medicare-covered patients, concerned about pending cuts to reimbursement.

The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 group practice professionals from an MGMA network focused on policy issues, found that almost 24 percent of respondents said that they'd begun limiting or not accepting new Medicare patients. If and when the scheduled 10.6 percent Medicare cut takes effect, 46 percent said they'd stop accepting or limit the number of Medicare insureds they'd treat.

In addition to limiting Medicare patients, practices said that if the planned cuts take place, more than half would consider cutting administrative or clinical staff (or limit hiring for such positions), and postpone IT and equipment investments.

To learn more about the study:
- read this MGMA press release [1]

Related Articles:
AMA fights physician Medicare cuts. Report [2]
MGMA: Practice costs rising faster than revenue. Report [3]
Hot topics at the MGMA. Editorial [4]