An opportunity to discourage circumcisions through U.S. Medicare?

[Minuteman]

(Cross-posted at restoringforeskin.org and foreskin-restoration.net)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is currently accepting public comment on the "Medicare Program; Five Year Review of Work Relative Value Units Under the Physician Fee Schedule" [CMS-2011-0107].

You can download the full proposed Fee Schedule here (click the icon, pdf file, 2.4 MB):

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=CMS-2011-0107-0001

Could an argument be structured to adjust the Relative Value Units, to make the reimbursement rate to physicians, and the cost passed on to "patients" (parents), so prohibitive as to discourage circumcision and reduce the incidence?

They are accepting public comment until 25 July, 2011.

Circumcision is covered in the above document under CTP/HCPC numbers 54150-54164 (pages 322-323).

This is a once in a five-year opportunity worth taking a serious look at, but something I think members in the United States are better placed to evaluate (I live in Australia).
 

[brant31]

Thank you for this tip. Unfortunately, the review is only for Medicare, the US program for senior citizens and disabled individuals. I know the names can get confusing, because Australia calls its healthcare program Medicare. Here in the US, the federal/state program for low-income families is Medicaid. Covered services are decided state-by-state, so I don't believe a federal review would impact whether routine infant circumcision is reimbursed.

[Minuteman]

Originally Posted by brant31 

Thank you for this tip. Unfortunately, the review is only for Medicare, the US program for senior citizens and disabled individuals. I know the names can get confusing, because Australia calls its healthcare program Medicare. Here in the US, the federal/state program for low-income families is Medicaid. Covered services are decided state-by-state, so I don't believe a federal review would impact whether routine infant circumcision is reimbursed.

Thank you for your feedback. A couple of days ago, I forwarded the above information (with a couple of additional links) to a half-dozen or so anti-circumcision groups in the United States, including ARCLAW, DOC and NOCIRC. I'm leaving the matter in the hands of those with greater knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system.