A bipartisan Medicare reform package that was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would be beneficial for Wisconsin, according to Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.).
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act was introduced by Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Jay Rockefeller (D-West Virginia) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.).
The bill would block pending cuts to Medicare reimbursement rates, would ensure better pay for rural doctors, would lower co-payments for seniors' mental health services and would improve access to telehealth services.
"For too long, the flaws in our Medicare system have given Wisconsin the short end of the stick," Feingold said. "This reform package helps bring more Medicare dollars to Wisconsin. It blocks a scheduled cut to Medicare providers' reimbursement rates and creates a fairer reimbursement system for rural doctors, which will help attract physicians to more areas of Wisconsin. Seniors also receive more access to mental health care and preventative care. And people living in rural parts of Wisconsin will benefit from the bill's telehealth provisions, which will allow them to receive care at local hospitals without having to travel to larger hospitals or cities. We still have much to do to improve Wisconsin's treatment under the Medicare system, but this bill moves us in the right direction."
Feingold said he is frequently contacted by rural physicians who are concerned about an unfair Medicare practice that reimburses rural physicians less per procedure than their urban colleagues - solely because they serve rural communities.
Medicare currently requires a 50-percent co-payment for mental health services, which is significantly higher than the 20-percent required for physical health care services. The bill would lower co-payments for seniors' mental health services until they match other co-pays.
Senate bill would reform Medicare
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