The Minnesota Medical Association has for many years sought to address physicians' concerns about Medicare and its regulations. The MMA is working toward ending the flawed physician payment formula, geographic disparity in physician reimbursements, and cumbersome or confusing rules and regulations.
The MMA is working with the Minnesota congressional delegation and the AMA, urging Congress to find a long-term solution to the flawed physician payment system based on the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). Because of this formula, Medicare payments to physicians are scheduled to be cut significantly in the next six years, at the same time, the costs of practicing medicine are increasing.
The MMA is also working to alter the current payment system so it no longer penalizes physicians in areas including Minnesota that provide cost-effective high-quality care. Pay-for-performance is another Medicare policy area that the MMA is closely tracking.