Study: Physicians Recovered From Lower Medicare Pay

Doctors were able to make up for reductions in Medicare payments for chemotherapy by treating more patients, according to a new Health Affairs study. Congress in 2003 reduced payments for chemotherapy doctors provided in their offices to address concerns that physicians were profiting from providing such treatment. Study author Joseph Newhouse, a health policy professor at Harvard University, said the study shows lawmakers should carefully consider any changes in Medicare payments. New York Times.

• "Doctors Recouped Cuts in Medicare Pay, Study Finds" (Abelson, New York Times, 6/16).