Did CMS actually cut pay based on online forum talk?

[Anakinmemer]

I've heard stories that rads was specifically targeted for pay cuts based on posts from auntminnie/sdn...this can't possibly be true can it? Don't they have access to every radiologists tax returns/ billing information to calculate actual average compensation?

Using anecdotal unverifiable income reported on an anonymous forum feels like the most ridiculous reason for pay cuts I can think of...

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Ho0v-man]

I've heard stories that rads was specifically targeted for pay cuts based on posts from auntminnie/sdn...this can't possibly be true can it? Don't they have access to every radiologists tax returns/ billing information to calculate actual average compensation?

Using anecdotal unverifiable income reported on an anonymous forum feels like the most ridiculous reason for pay cuts I can think of...

Not to turn this into a political thread. But are you really expecting government officials to do anything with readily available and verifiable data when we’re electing the *****s that are currently in power? Seriously think about the last few years.

 

[Tiger100]

I've heard stories that rads was specifically targeted for pay cuts based on posts from auntminnie/sdn...this can't possibly be true can it? Don't they have access to every radiologists tax returns/ billing information to calculate actual average compensation?

Using anecdotal unverifiable income reported on an anonymous forum feels like the most ridiculous reason for pay cuts I can think of...

To some extent.
They use these data the same way they use other public opinion polls. In other words, they don't use the data to make big decisions ( like choosing the president), but it can be used to justify some decisions.
If they want to make a decision, by reading online forums they can get a sense that how much resistance they will encounter.

True that they have access to average rads compensation but they don't have a realistic view of the details. For example, if on all forums MSK rads complain left and right about the complexity of MSK studies, the officials know that if they decrease the RVU for MSK studies, they will see a lot of dissatisfaction.

Afterall, every change in the system should not result in massive complaints.

 

[anonperson]

I've heard stories that rads was specifically targeted for pay cuts based on posts from auntminnie/sdn...this can't possibly be true can it? Don't they have access to every radiologists tax returns/ billing information to calculate actual average compensation?

Using anecdotal unverifiable income reported on an anonymous forum feels like the most ridiculous reason for pay cuts I can think of...

There are a finite amount of dollars at play.

Typically though, CMS will use input from the RUC surveys to determine how certain CPT codes are paid.

What Is the RUC?

We describe a crucial but little-known constituent of the Medicare payment system.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2021-04/introduction-to-the-ruc.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjDo5mGpL_9AhUFPkQIHQKUAwMQFnoECA8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2Gbc58FsHpY8L-qrRPN3nP

The RUC survey can play a crucial role. If enough people answer incorrectly and downplay the work/difficulty, that will be reflected in possible cuts.

It's important to stay involved in your national societies specifically relating to coding because this is where some of the advocacy occurs.

 

[Cognovi]

When will I ever receive a RUC survey?

 

[vm26]

I've heard stories that rads was specifically targeted for pay cuts based on posts from auntminnie/sdn...this can't possibly be true can it? Don't they have access to every radiologists tax returns/ billing information to calculate actual average compensation?

Using anecdotal unverifiable income reported on an anonymous forum feels like the most ridiculous reason for pay cuts I can think of...

Think its basically spread sheets and more importantly, the zero-sums game approach (eg. increase in reimbursement needs to be balanced with cuts)...Never a fan/member of the AMA until recently. They are (apparently) tackling medicare reform head-on. While I would encourage being an ACR member and donating to RADPAC, there is strength in numbers by uniting with other subspecialties. I'm going to give the AMA a few years and see what happens

AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians: Reforming Medicare Payment

www.ama-assn.org

 

[Tiger100]

Think its basically spread sheets and more importantly, the zero-sums game approach (eg. increase in reimbursement needs to be balanced with cuts)...Never a fan/member of the AMA until recently. They are (apparently) tackling medicare reform head-on. While I would encourage being an ACR member and donating to RADPAC, there is strength in numbers by uniting with other subspecialties. I'm going to give the AMA a few years and see what happens

AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians: Reforming Medicare Payment

www.ama-assn.org

AMA has been always anti-specialists esp anti-radiologists.

They are usually bunch of family physicians who try to bump up primary care salaries at the expense of specialist. The specialties that make most of their income from office visit and inpatient services benefit somehow from AMA lobbying since both groups have these things in common. However, for specialties that make most of their income from procedures, the AMA in fact lobby against them. The ultimate goal of AMA is to make salaries flat across the board or decrease the gap between office visits and procedures reimbursements. Something like paying all physicians similar rate/hour. Japan has a similar system.

 

[vm26]

AMA has been always anti-specialists esp anti-radiologists.

They are usually bunch of family physicians who try to bump up primary care salaries at the expense of specialist. The specialties that make most of their income from office visit and inpatient services benefit somehow from AMA lobbying since both groups have these things in common. However, for specialties that make most of their income from procedures, the AMA in fact lobby against them. The ultimate goal of AMA is to make salaries flat across the board or decrease the gap between office visits and procedures reimbursements. Something like paying all physicians similar rate/hour. Japan has a similar system.

In general I share some of your sentiments, and would add that at times they actuall seemed anti-physician...They now have a "Recovery Plan for American Physicians". CMS payment reform is a big chunk of this. Based on the AMA webinars that I have heard, they are viewing this as a global physician issue (not breaking it down by primary care versus specialists-see below power point slide)...Many specialty professional societies (including ACR) are on board. Think the trigger was in part due to Covid-burn out and ongoing baby boomer physician retirement (double whammy actually as they will add to overall HC demand as new medicare pts...I am cautiously/skeptically optimistic and will support them in the short-term and see what happens.

AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians

www.ama-assn.org