Just because the 12-year SGR/Medicare Physician Payment debate has ended in Congress does not mean that vascular surgeons can rest easy. Private practice physicians in particular have many concerns ahead. Congress will think we do not care if we stay silent on issues that affect our patients and our practices. We must be heard during deliberations on the following issues: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations for the Affordable Care Act, Accountable Care Organization difficulties for surgeons, penalties for not participating in the Physician Quality Reporting System, EHR Meaningful Use Incentive Program and Value-Based Payment Modifier and maintaining the In-Office Ancillary Services Exception to the Stark law.
The most effective way to proactively combat threats to our practices is to contribute to the SVS PAC to ensure that one-on-one discussions continue with members of Congress who make decisions about the issues above. SVS PAC is the only organization that exclusively represents vascular surgeons.
