FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, June 28, 2008

Chambliss, Isakson Praise Administration’s Decision to Delay Implementation of Medicare Cuts
Gives Congress Time to Act in a Responsible, Bipartisan Manner

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today praised the Administration’s decision to delay the implementation of the 10.6% cut to physicians' Medicare reimbursement until July 15, 2008 to avoid any disruption in the payment of physician and non-physician practitioner services beginning on July 1.

“It’s unfortunate that the Democratic Majority found a way to extend authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration, but given the chance to extend the current Medicare fee levels, they objected twice,” said Chambliss. “Doctors and seniors deserve a serious and responsible effort that addresses the impending fee cut without playing politics and creating a major expansion of entitlement spending. I will continue to work to provide doctors the relief they deserve and seniors the benefits they deserve.”

"I am very pleased the Administration is giving Congress more time to work out reasonable legislation to eliminate this 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors. I will do everything I can to see to it that the Senate quickly passes a bill that helps Georgia doctors and that helps Georgia Medicare beneficiaries, especially our seniors and those who live in rural areas," Isakson said.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to instruct its contractors to not process any physician and non-physician practitioner claims for the first 10 business days of July. By holding claims for health care services that are delivered on or after July 1, CMS will not be making any payments on the 10.6 percent reduction until July 15, at the earliest.

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