December 2005

(12/23/2005, 11:39 a.m.)  --  Despite Senate action earlier this week to freeze next year's Medicare physician payments at 2005 levels, physicians will see -- at least temporarily -- a 4.4 percent Medicare reduction in January. That's the word from CMS officials who have said that until the House approves the Senate version of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, S. 1932, and the bill is signed by the president, CMS cannot prevent the pay reduction. The catch: The House has adjourned for the year and won't take up the bill until Jan. 31. More