Santa Monica Physicians Draw Attention for New Fees
Beginning April 1, the Pacific Heart Institute physician group will charge some patients fees ranging from $500 to $7,500 to help offset recent cuts to Medicare reimbursements and help support e-mail communication with doctors and other services. The American College of Cardiology is suing to block some of the Medicare cuts.
- "As Medicare Pay Shrinks, Some California Docs Hike Patient Fees" (Weaver, Kaiser Health News, 3/16).