CMS Cuts Lead to Cardiovasular Practice Layoffs

A census performed by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) shows that 50 percent of the 2,046  Cardiovascular (CV) practices surveyed will be forced to layoff staff and are unable to order new equipment due to reimbursement cuts.

The cuts referred to were made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and includes a 36 percent cut in SPECT imaging.

“These almost 40 percent cuts in our nuclear stress reimbursements were a major blow to our overall financial situation,” said cardiologist Eric Steinberg. “Despite the cuts, patient volume still continued to grow,” he continued. “You are working hard, if not harder, to fulfill the needs of your patients and practice and all of a sudden the whole financial model of your practice changes. It’s very stressful.”