Senate passes legislation to repeal SGR!

Notice from AAOE:
April 14, 2015

The United States Senate passed legislation to repeal the flawed Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) today. The legislation will now go to President Barack Obama for his signature, having been passed by the House of Representatives on March 26, 2015. The President has indicated that he will sign the legislation.

With passage of HR 2 – Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, providers will avoid a 21 percent cut that was set to be implemented at midnight on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

Votes on six amendments to the legislation began at 7:10 pm ET. All six amendments failed. Voting on the House passed legislation began at 9:35 pm ET following a challenge from Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to the legislation not being fully paid for.

The Senate voted 92-8 to repeal the SGR.

Bradley Coffey, MA
Government Affairs Specialist

American Association of Orthopaedic Executives
3925 River Crossing Parkway, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46240

Stage 3 NPRM Comment Period Now Open: Submit by May 29th

CMS and ONC invite the public to submit comments on the recently released notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) on Stage 3 requirements and 2015 Edition certification criteria for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. Comments must be received by May 29th to be considered.

How To Submit Comments
The public can submit comments in several ways, including via electronic submission or mail:

1. Electronically
* You may submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov Follow the “Submit a comment” instructions.
2. By regular mail.
3. By express or overnight mail.
4. By hand or couier.

View the Stage 3 and 2015 Edition certification criteria proposed rules online for more information. Submissions must be received by 11:59pm ET on May 29, 2015 in order to be considered.

For More Information
For more information on the Stage 3 and 2015 Edition certification criteria proposed rules, review the press release and fact sheet.