A bipartisan legislation has been introduced to Congress that would stop the proposed 3.37% Medicare physician payment cut from going into effect in 2024.

H.R. 6683, the "Preserving Seniors' Access to Physicians Act" legislation, would remove this payment cut, however, it must be passed by the Jan. 19, 2024 appropriations package deadline to go into effect.

The 3.37% Medicare physician payment cut comes after a 2% physician payment reduction in 2023. Physicians, the American Medical Association (AMA) and other healthcare organizations argue that these financial cuts would severely impact physicians' ability to provide services to seniors.

USE YOUR VOICE!

Members of Congress return to session next week. Please contact your representative then to urge them to include H.R. 6683 in the upcoming 2024 appropriations package! You may use the AMA's pre-written template to easily send your message. Or click here to find your representative and send an email or call.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is changing reimbursement for medication reconciliation coding, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

For claims submitted on or after Jan. 1, 2024, the charge on claims for code *1111F must be at least $35 to receive the full payment of $35. Blue Cross will no longer reimburse amounts greater than the amount charged on the claim. This is a change for Medicare Plus Blue claims.

To qualify for reimbursement, follow these steps:

1. When the Medicare Plus Blue or BCN Advantage member is discharged after a hospital stay, perform medication reconciliation by comparing the hospital discharge medications against the member’s current list of medications.
2. Submit code *1111F on the claim form with a charge of at least $35.

Please contact your BCBSM representative with questions regarding this change.

The start of a new year also meant annual current procedural terminology (CPT) code set updates took effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

The Physician Alliance hosted a webinar last week that covered the updates and ways to improve coding accuracy in practices. TPA PGIP members can view the webinar recording via the member portal.

Click here to watch the recording and also access coding tip sheets.

Kick off the new year with a focus on improving practice efficiencies and saving money!

The Physician Alliance teamed up with businesses to offer a variety of products and services at discounted pricing for our members. The Affiliate Partners program supports practice management, patient relations and more through cost-effective, innovative solutions.

Current Affiliate Partners are listed below. Visit TPA's website for more details and special offers from these partners.

Bipartisan reps introduce bill canceling 2024's 3.4% Medicare pay cut to physicians, Fierce Healthcare

The 'tsunami' of change in patient expectations, Becker's Hospital Review

Cancer Patients Face Frightening Delays in Treatment Approvals, Kaiser Health News

More patients are losing their doctors – and their trust in the primary care system, NPR

Kroger eyes opportunities in senior-focused primary care, Fierce Healthcare