SGR repeal bill advances in federal committee

On July 23, the Health Subcommittee of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bipartisan draft bill that would repeal the sustainable growth rate formula (SGR) and move Medicare to a payment system that rewards quality and reduces costs. The draft bill was released last week and the subcommittee adopted an amendment during the mark-up to make technical changes to the legislation, but no significant changes were made in the policies set forth in the original bill.

The full Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to vote on the legislation before the five-week congressional recess that is scheduled to begin on Aug. 1.

Ardis Hoven, MD, president of the American Medical Association, praised congressional leaders for their work to fix the Medicare physician payment system this year but also said that there is work to be done to ensure a strong future for Medicare.

"When crafting new payment systems, lawmakers must ensure that funding for Medicare's payments to physicians is sufficient to allow for sustainable practice environments that give physicians the ability to invest in new ways of improving care for patients.

"This includes maintaining budget neutrality related to adjustments to correct misvalued codes as part of that ongoing process. Changes to quality reporting requirements should build on the existing system rather than attempting to implement a new regimen that adds administrative burdens and could distract from more effective efforts to improve patient care."

The AMA has followed this bill closely as it has developed. Click here to read a draft of the subcommittee proposal. Click here to read the AMA's comments on the bill.

Register for the 2013 Annual Meeting in Vail, Sept. 20-22

Register today for the Colorado Medical Society's 143rd Annual Meeting. Make plans to join us in Vail for "Mardi Gras in the Mountains," a celebration injected with a touch of Cajun spice, humor and joie de vivre.

> Click here to download a PDF registration form. Online registration will be available soon.

Also, reserve your hotel room at our host hotel, the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort. Click here to reserve your room online. The CMS group rate starting at $149/night for a standard room is available through Sept. 4, 2013.

For more information on Annual Meeting, including the draft agenda, go to www.cms.org/events/annual-meeting.

Online CME available: SBIRT mentor training

Disease prevention and the reduction of harm related to substance use are integral to the delivery of health care, and screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) of patients for substance use is becoming a critical part of today's patient care. Learn more about this topic through an online CME program, "The Substance Use SBIRT mentor."

Participants will learn how to help improve patient outcomes by identifying substance use behaviors and determining a patient's level of risk related to alcohol and other drug use. You will also learn how to provide brief motivational interviewing about the health impact of substance use - and how to effectively refer a patient to treatment when appropriate.

The cost of the program is $99, though Colorado Medical Society members who register by Aug. 1, 2013, can receive 20 percent off by entering coupon code SBIRTCMS20%. After successful completion of the training and post-test, you will receive a certificate for 3 contact hours. For more information and to register, go to www.CMEcorner.com/SBIRT.