"The House package would scrap the old Medicare physician payment rates ... known as the 'sustainable growth rate' (SGR). Instead, it would give doctors an 0.5 percent bump in each of the next five years as Medicare transitions to a payment system designed to reward physicians based on the quality of care provided, rather than the quantity of procedures performed, as the current payment formula does.... Starting in 2018, wealthier Medicare beneficiaries (individuals with incomes above $133,500, with thresholds higher for couples), would pay more for their Medicare coverage, a provision expected to impact 2 percent of beneficiaries. In addition, starting in 2020, 'first-dollar' supplemental Medicare insurance known as 'Medigap' policies would not be able to cover the Part B deductible for new beneficiaries."  MORE >>