Show Notes - All Things Afib - Episode 17 (16) - Medicare Cuts!!!! with Dr. Brett Gidney

Medicare is slashing reimbursement for AFib procedures during a time of record-setting inflation and an increasing number of patients (currently 6 million) suffering from AFib.  From an RVU (Relative Value Unit) of 26.44 in 2021, the payment is being reduced by FORTY PERCENT to 15.88 in 2023. AFib is becoming more and more widespread, in fact, there are predicted to be 20 Million AFib patients by 2050.  Afib can often be fixed very easily, REDUCING the burden on the healthcare system, as likelihood of stroke, dementia, and other morbidities are reduced by AFib management.

There are only 1500 EPs in the U.S. right now, and Medicare cuts are actually DE-INCENTIVIZING more doctors from entering this specialty, because they cannot get fairly compensated for their work. Did you know Medicare pays the same amount for an EP to sit in their office and read 3 echocardiograms, as they would get to do a complex AFib procedure/operation?!

Join me and my guest Dr. Brett Gidney to discuss how and why these cuts are happening, and what you can do today to join the fight to reform these Medicare payments.

Dr. Brett Gidney is a cardiac electrophysiologist leading the charge to reform Medicare payments to EPs.  He practices throughout the central coast of California from Thousand Oaks up to Santa Maria. He is board certified in clinical cardiac electrophysiology focusing on complex cardiac arrhythmia management. Dr. Gidney spends the majority of his time in the hospital setting performing procedures, such as cardiac ablation, to treat abnormal heart rhythms. He is particularly interested in very low or no radiation exposure facilitated by 3D mapping and ultrasound technologies.

All Things Afib is hosted by me, Dr. Armin Kiankhooy. As a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, my focus is on advanced treatments for heart and lung failure and minimally-invasive surgical treatments for atrial fibrillation such as the Hybrid Maze procedure. You can find me on staff at Adventist Health Heart and Vascular Institute in St. Helena California.

Discussion points:

●      Dr. Brett Gidney introduction

●      The reduction of RVUs– 2021 to 2023 – reduced 40% - bundling/cuts

●      EP is a tiny specialty, only 1500 in the US today

●      AFib procedures REDUCE the burden on the system

●      Who is advocating for these cuts? The RUC and it’s role

●      Affect on caseloads/day to day practice

●      De-valuing physician services vs. equipment costs

●      Will this be the spark that leads to the formation of lobbying groups?

●      501(c)6 vs. 501(c)3

●      Reduced access to underserved populations

●      The EPAdvocacy.org foundation will soon be up and running

●      Reach out to your congressperson and senator, let them know we need reform!

Resources:

Dr. Brett Gidney LinkedIn

Dr. Brett Gidney Twitter

Find Your Representatives

Dr. Kiankhooy LinkedIn

All Things AFib Website

All Things AFib Twitter

All Things AFib YouTube Channel