Member Message from SLMMS President Dr. Joseph A. Craft III – Medicare’s Claims Data Release

St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society Members – Please see the following message from President Joseph A. Craft III, M.D.:

Colleagues,

As many of you know, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released payment data on physicians to the general public on Wednesday, 4/9/14.  I have reviewed mine by downloading the appropriate Excel spreadsheet (listed in alphabetical order), and would encourage you to do the same:  http://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Press-releases/2014-Press-releases-items/2014-04-09.html.

While we should all strive for transparency in health care, the payment data have been released in a way that may generate speculation and faulty conclusions.

The American Medical Association issued a quick response stating it would review these data and potential implications.  Meanwhile, the AMA offered several potential cautions when interpreting the payment data (see below).

We all must strive for a more transparent health care system.  Yet, we must make sure all stakeholders understand the limitations of payment data sets.

Please be assured that the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society will be watching this situation closely.  If you have further questions, suggestions, or if we can assist you in interpreting the data, please let us know.

Thank you for all you do for our patients and our community.

Joseph A. Craft III, MD, FACC

President

St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society

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