LANSING - The Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) today responded to the recent release of complex and incomplete Medicare payment data by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS). The following is a statement from Dr. Kenneth Elmassian, D.O., President of MSMS:

Michigan physicians and MSMS members put their patients first each and every day and believe that empowering patients with accurate information helps improve outcomes. The recent release of Medicare payment data by CMS provides patients and taxpayers with some level of transparency, and this is a good thing. It is important to realize, however, the data does not completely or accurately reflect the complexity of health care delivery and patient care.

The information released by CMS does not in any way inform patients whether or not a physician provides quality care, the level of integrity with which a physician operates his or her practice or explain whether a local practice handles reimbursement services for more than one physician.

Patients, press and observers are encouraged to remember:

• Patients should not make choices about care based on this data alone. It is raw and complex and could easily be misinterpreted.
• We look forward to working at the local, state and federal level on initiatives that improve health care quality, uncover fraud and prevent abuse.
• The American Medical Association has published guidelines that help explain the CMS data.

For more information, please visit www.msms.org. The Michigan State Medical Society is a professional association of more than 15,000 Michigan physicians. Its mission is to promote a health care environment which supports physicians in caring for, and enhancing the health of Michigan citizens through science, quality, and ethics in the practice of medicine.