To answer this with the information we have available to us right now... I don't know. Nobody really knows because there is no definitive information about our direction, and it's ever-changing politics and strategies for dealing with it keep us on our toes, nervous and sweating bullets.
What do we know about issues affecting us as Radiographers? Medicare reimbursement is expected to decrease, followed by insurance coverage that will follow suit based on what Medicare is doing. In other words, we will be expected to perform the same job, if not an increase in volume with our aging population, with fewer financial resources. In order to stay ahead of the wake of financial burden, we are going to be asked to reduce cost... by means of supplies, labor, and waste while improving productivity and efficiency... not to mention the dependence on patient satisfaction for maximum reimbursement. Quite the task!
I wanted to post this topic because I'm looking for interaction with you. What is your hospital or health care system doing to plan for this? Do they have a plan? Have they begun any changes in practice? My employer has some ground-breaking initiatives on this side of the country that are measurably making improvements in preparation for these cost-cutting requirements. It is encouraging, but there is still work to do. I encourage participation from all levels of the organizational flow chart as we are sometimes blind to perspectives above and below us. What are your thoughts?
One aspect of this that I don't hear much: more people who currently use the emergency room as primary care because they don't have insurance will have coverage under the new plan.
ReplyDeleteThis should reduce the load of frivolous ER visits while increasing the number of ER visits that actually get paid.
I can't begin to say if that will completely offset the reduction in Medicare pay, but it should help the burden somewhat.
One aspect of this that I don't hear much: more people who currently use the emergency room as primary care because they don't have insurance will have coverage under the new plan.
ReplyDeleteThis should reduce the load of frivolous ER visits while increasing the number of ER visits that actually get paid.
I can't begin to say if that will completely offset the reduction in Medicare pay, but it should help the burden somewhat.
Great point... I'm curious to see what that coverage looks like. Being a government benefit, I'm wondering what kinds of exams and procedures it will cover, and what will qualify patients to receive them. It would be nice if it offsets the Medicare reduction as well... I don't want to be an optimist or pessimist here - we'll just have to wait and see. Thanks for posting; I'm definitely going to keep my eyes open for those effects.
ReplyDelete