Tighter Margins and Tighter Belts, but Still Treating Patients: The Verdict on the Medicare Modernization Act

Abstract

Few oncologists were taken by surprise when the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) became law on January 1, 2005; in fact, an informal poll found that many had already been preparing for it well in advance. Now that the MMA has become law, JOP thought it would be beneficial to look at the real-world consequences on patients and practices. JOP also wanted to explore some of the strategies oncologists are using to adapt their practices. Since there is no such thing as a “typical” oncology practice, JOP selected three as representative: a Kansas City, Kansas practice with 35 oncologists, an Albuquerque, New Mexico practice with 11, and one in Paducah, Kentucky with three oncologists. All three practices serve commercial and Medicare patients in urban and rural areas. Two of the three, Kansas City and Albuquerque, are the largest in their respective states. The similarities between all three are as remarkable as the differences.