American Medical News (01/09/12)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended its annual participation enrollment period through Feb. 14. CMS moved the deadline for physicians to elect to continue Medicare participation or withdraw from the program because the agency anticipates congressional action in the coming weeks to address the 27.4 percent sustainable growth rate cut to physician pay this year. If Congress appears that it will allow the steep reduction in Medicare rates to take effect, that could influence physician decisions to participate in the program during the 2012 year. Medicare contractors will process participation status changes that are postmarked by Feb. 14. The effective date for all changes will be Jan. 1 and remain in effect for the year.

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