Quitting Smoking Is Hard. A Medicare Change May Push Doctors to Give More Help

Quitting smoking is hard. A Medicare change may push doctors to give more help

New Medicare fee schedule proposals would increase physician pay for smoking cessation counseling, aiming to improve quit rates and chronic disease care.

Medicare to Reward Doctors for Health Outcomes Rather Than Services Alone

Dr. Mehmet Oz wants doctors to help patients stay well, and has proposed changes to Medicare’s payment rules to incentivize that shift. Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, released the proposal on July 14, calling it the most significant Medicare reform in recent years. “These changes would make it easier for clinicians to focus on prevention, improve coordination for patients, and ensure Medicare rewards bet…