I recently attended a course at which a practice administrator spoke about the anticipated effects upon Medicare reimbursement post-2008, when Baby Boomers begin to enter the Medicare ranks. Admittedly, we will be providing healthcare to increasing numbers of Medicare recipients, but at what price? Office and surgical volumes will go up, but undoubtedly so will our expenses, while we see reimbursements decrease in an effort to maintain budgetary balance in Washington, DC. This could likely add stress to a system that is already stretched to some limits and effect changes in our practices regarding Medicare recipients that we would heretofore never have imagined.

The next few years will be critical for ophthalmology. I would predict a far different potential outcome if we approach this critical time passively, rather than actively engage ourselves in the process. Let’s face it--as ophthalmic surgeons, we perform the most commonly reimbursed procedure that Medicare covers. Consequently, we will in all likelihood be in the cross-hairs again. This time, let’s get our practices involved in this process ahead of the curve. Admittedly, we may not agree with the outcome--but if we remain the strongest advocates for patients and for fair reimbursement, we just may feel a bit better about ourselves and our chosen profession.

Happy Holidays to all.

Stephen E. Pascucci, MD Medical Editor [email protected]