Passage of “Doc-fix” Reported to Be Imminent

The ASA has learned that later today the U.S. House of Representatives will consider and is likely to pass, H.R. 3962, the free-standing “doc-fix” SGR relief bill passed by the U.S. Senate on Friday, June 18. The legislation would reverse the 21 percent payment cut now in effect and provide physicians a 2.2 percent positive update effective June 1 and extending through November 30. Following anticipated House passage, the legislation will be sent to President Obama for his signature.

Presently, Medicare carriers are processing claims from June 1 and later under the 21 percent negative update. The claims have been processed on a first-in/first-out basis. Once the “doc-fix” is enacted, it will be applied retroactively to claims for services provided on or after June 1.

Please visit the ASA website for additional updates. You can also follow the ASA Grassroots Network on Twitter and Facebook for the latest developments.