Not only is Congress busy working on a longer-term fix to the SGR, we also have advocacy work ahead of us pressing for adjustments to the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The 2010 fee schedule included some payment cuts in excess of 10 percent that were phased in over 4 years.  Unfortunately, CMS did not phase-in many newly-bundled codes that have had a direct impact on cardiology, such as SPECT codes that were cut 28 percent.

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Texas), ACC’s legislator of the year, has sponsored legislation (H.R. 6459) that will help correct inconsistencies in CMS' application of this phase-in in a budget-neutral way. We’re asking all ACC members to take a moment to call or e-mail your representatives in Congress to co-sponsor Rep. Gonzalez’ bill. In the Senate, the ask is for your senators to introduce a companion bill.

Here are some talking points to help that appeared in a recent ACC action alert:

• When you are connected to your lawmakers' offices, introduce yourself as a cardiovascular specialist and constituent and ask to speak to the health legislative assistant.
• Explain to the health legislative assistant that this issue is separate from the SGR, and how the cuts have impacted your patients and your practice.

Congress is likely to only be in session for a short time before they adjourn -- this is our last opportunity to get some much-needed relief! In these remaining days in the session, the ACC is putting everything it has into making one last effort to help private practice cardiology.

You can visit CardioSource to be connected by phone or to send an e-mail to your representatives. Also, make sure to ask your colleagues to contact their representatives as well. You can share this blog by clicking on the button below that says “Add this.” Congress needs to hear from us loud and clear on this!

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