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Physician payment rates are going up in at least 24 states, but there's a lot of lost ground to make up.

More than two dozen physician organizations have settled antitrust cases with the commission in the past four years. Doctors say guidelines on joint arrangements are unclear.

CMS hopes to recruit 800 solo or small- to medium-sized physician practices for the three-year Medicare pilot.

The medical profession says its patient form will help keep doctors in practice. Attorneys say injured patients should have their day in court.

In a March report, the commission will stress efficiency and quality as key elements in a new pay structure.