As physicians fight to avoid a proposed 5.1% payment cut under Medicare slated to take effect in January, it's unclear who will be leading the agency responsible for administering Medicare.
Dr. Mark B. McClellan resigned as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in early September after a 21/2-year tenure with the agency. At press time, no acting or permanent replacement had yet been named.
Dr. McClellan, who previously served as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said he is considering a move to a think tank in the Washington area.
In a press briefing announcing his resignation, Dr. McClellan said he would stay on at CMS for the next few weeks to aid in the transition.
He took the reins at CMS just months after the passage of the Medicare Modernization Act and has presided over the transition to the Medicare Part D drug benefit.
There has been momentum on all new initiatives at CMS, including the Part D benefit, he said. Dr. McClellan touted the progress of the Part D program, including lower-than-forecast beneficiary costs and an overall high rate of participation and beneficiary satisfaction. And regardless of the outcomes of this year's midterm congressional elections, Dr. McClellan said he expects to see continued congressional oversight of the program.
The American Medical Association praised his expertise and experience as a physician and called for a replacement with similar qualifications. “It is our hope, that before leaving CMS, Dr. McClellan will intensify his efforts to help physicians provide the best possible care to Medicare patients by supporting congressional efforts to ensure that the 2007 Medicare physician payment update will reflect the increase in physicians' practice costs,” Dr. Cecil B. Wilson, AMA board chair, said in a statement.