I am a specialist. I am a consultant for other physicians. My skills and expertise matter. I want to be recognized for the extra training and experience I have. Other physicians send patients to me because of my specialized knowledge. They recognize my value, and patients recognize my value, but it is unfortunate that CMS does not. I am hoping that Dr. Berwick will work with the ACR and the multitude of other specialty societies to fix this lapse in judgment by CMS. Dr. Berwick believes in efficiency and quality. I believe in efficiency and quality as well. That means getting the patient to the right physician at the right time—in other words, access to quality care. In order for patients to have access to quality physicians, specialists need to be appropriately reimbursed.
Dr. Borenstein is clinical professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology at George Washington University Medical Center, in Washington, D.C., and in private practice at Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates there. Contact him via e-mail at [email protected].
