Congress Repeals Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate

1. CONGRESS REPEALS
MEDICARE SUSTAINABLE
GROWTH RATE
AppaRao Mukkamala

2. Congress Repeals Medicare Sustainable
Growth Rate
• Born and initially educated in India before completing his training in the United
States, radiologist Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala now serves as chair emeritus of the
Department of Radiology at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan. An active
professional, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala maintains membership in the American
Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.

3. Congress Repeals Medicare Sustainable
Growth Rate
• In late March of 2015, members of the American Association of Physicians of
Indian Origin (AAPI) met for the organization’s annual Legislative Day and
Reception on Capitol Hill . As part of the program of events, delegates expressed
thanks to the US Congress for its majority vote to repeal the sustainable growth
rate (SGR) formula, which would have reduced practitioner fees had spending for
physicians exceeded a predetermined target.

4. Congress Repeals Medicare Sustainable
Growth Rate
• The repealed bill will instead be replaced with annual updates through 2019, after
which time the federal government will offer incentives for practitioners who
participate in alternative payment systems. A merit-based incentive payment
system (MIPS) will also commence in 2019 and replace previously implemented
quality-based compensation programs.The change in fee structure will officially
begin in June of 2015, the Senate having passed the bill by a vote of 92-8 on April
14.