Medicare Payments to Puerto Rico May Increase
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule that will increase reimbursement rates for physicians in Puerto Rico under the Medicare program. The change will take place on January 1, 2017.
The difference in funding between Puerto Rico and the 50 states has been a problem for Puerto Rico for many years. With the rise of the Zika virus and the economic crisis in Puerto Rico, the effects have become even more dire. Reports from Puerto Rico say that lack of medical supplies and even of electricity and water are affecting healthcare facilities, government payments have dropped even further, and that doctors are leaving Puerto Rico at the rate of one a day.
The government of Puerto Rico is responsible for significant medical costs, with the majority of the population eligible for public health benefits. The government also has to pay a higher proportion of the costs than the governments of the 50 states do. Medicare payments in Puerto Rico are lower, and reimbursements to doctors are also lower. Increasingly, Puerto Rico’s medical professionals have been finding that they cannot survive on their earnings.
Three factors are included in decisions about Medicare payments:
* “Physician Work” considers the cost, including time, of providing a service.
* “Practice Expense” reflects the cost of maintaining a medical practice, including rental of office space, staffing costs, and the costs of equipment and supplies.
* “Malpractice” is based on the price of malpractice insurance.
Read more: http://www.puertoricoreport.com/medicare-payments-to-puerto-rico-may-increase/
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