Local doctors voiced their concerns with U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey about a proposed drop in reimbursement for physicians accepting Medicare on Wednesday.
The representative heard their views as he visited the Harbin Clinic Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center on National Ambulatory Surgery Center Awareness Day.
Gastroenterologists Dr. Stephen Finn and Dr. George Goldin showed Gingrey their examination and recovery rooms in which they perform colonscopies and other screenings.
“It helps him to come and see personally what we do,” said Goldin. “We wanted Congressman Gingrey to see what we do is cost efficient and quality care for our patients.”
The doctors then discussed their concerns about the national reimbursement policies for doctors who accept Medicare and how a reformation, which details a cut in funds, would affect them.
Goldin and Finn, a majority of whose patients are at or near Medicare age, said the change could cost them more than half their patients.
“There are a number of issues that have been set before Congress,” said Goldin. “And one of them is to cut back the reimbursements for ASCs, such as our center, by nearly 25 percent. That’s substantial. If they do that, we may not be able to cover the costs for those on Medicare to have screenings, and they would have to go to the hospital.”
Goldin and Finn said patients who go to the hospital would face longer stays, raising their overall healthcare costs.
“A night stay in a hospital is about as much as staying a night at the Ritz Carlton,” Gingrey agreed. “I’m a strong advocate of the ambulatory centers, where patients are in and out in the same day … I definitely will be doing some research to what can be done about this issue.”
The lawmaker took the opportunity to compliment Harbin’s electronic medical record system and the Floyd County medical community during his stop.
“Rome has made great strides toward advancement in the medical field,” Gingrey said. “I am greatly impressed with their electronic record systems. Only a handful of communities this size have such an advanced system.”
Gingrey’s visit followed one by Floyd County’s legislative delegation Wednesday morning, including state Sen. Preston Smith and state Reps. Barbara Massey-Reece, D-Menlo, Katie Dempsey, R-Rome, Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, and Rick Crawford, D-Cedartown.
“We wanted both state and national support for this,” said Goldin. “And we had a 100 percent turnout for our (congressman).”
