Medicare Patient-Shared Responsibility
Our Position
ASCRS supports a patient's right to obtain medical services from the physician of his or her choice by adopting additional Medicare payment options. Currently, physicians must opt out of Medicare for two years if they enter into a private contract with a Medicare patient. Therefore, ASCRS supports passage of the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act.
Issue BriefHow it Impacts You
The Medicare Patient Empowerment Act would allow physicians and patients to contract freely on a case-by-case basis, without penalty, for Medicare services. Medicare beneficiaries would still be able to use their benefits, and physicians would not be forced to opt out of Medicare for two years. In addition, it would provide patients with more choices of physicians, increase the number of physicians who will continue to accept Medicare patients, and help preserve the Medicare program.