tci Part B Insider - 2003 Issue 19

Malpractice More Important to Your Bottom Line - CMS Ups the Ante

Feeling hit hard by malpractice insurance costs? Medicare feels your pain. Starting next year, the malpractice rates in your area will have a greater weight in determining the Medicare Economic Index, as well as the geographic adjustments to physician pay. Malpractice insurance will account for 3.865 percent of the cost share weights, up from 3.2 percent in 2001-2003, but still less than the 4.8 percent of the mid-1990s.  Physician earnings will account for somewhat less of the cost index, as will equipment and supplies. Practice expenses, employee wages, and rents all will account for...

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