If a physician adopts e-prescribing technology in 2009 and 2010, he/she will receive a 2 percent bonus in Medicare payments. Those who don't will see reductions in reimbursements. (Kaiser Network) Contained in the bill that delays a 10.6 percent Medicare reimbursement rate cut are details of an electronic prescribing incentive program, which is designed to save money and reduce drug-related errors. The program will begin on January 1, 2009. Kerry Weems, acting administrator of the Centers … [Read more...] about E-Prescribing and Lock-In Pricing
Bush Vetoes Medicare Bill, Congress Overrides Veto
Things are moving fast. As we mentioned last week, President George W. Bush was set to veto a bill that would halt a 10.6 percent Medicare physicians pay cut. Yesterday, the president vetoed the bill, despite the bill passing both houses of Congress by veto-proof margins in recent weeks. President Bush wrote that he vetoed the bill because it would "harm beneficiaries by taking private health plan options away from them," and urged Congress to send him a bill "that reduces the growth in … [Read more...] about Bush Vetoes Medicare Bill, Congress Overrides Veto
Bush to Veto Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
Last week, just before the Fourth of July recess, the Bush administration delayed a 10.6 percent Medicare physicians pay cut, which was scheduled to go into effect on July 1. A few Democrats scoffed at the gesture, saying it was "misleading" and that the administration froze the cut just for the sake of "appearance." According to the Associated Press, President Bush will unfreeze the cut and veto any bill that attempts to move it forward, although the bill's supporters have enough votes to … [Read more...] about Bush to Veto Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
Bush Freezes Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
In a surprising turn of events, the Bush administration has delayed a 10.6 percent Medicare physicians pay cut, which was scheduled to go into effect today. (Associated Press) But Democratic senators Jay Rockefeller and Charles Schumer say the freeze is "misleading" and for the sake of "appearance." (Kaiser Network) Last week, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would halt the pay cut, to be funded by reducing funding to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The Bush … [Read more...] about Bush Freezes Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
House Passes Bill to Stop Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
Yesterday, the House of Representatives "overwhelmingly" passed a bill that would stop a 10.6 percent Medicare physicians pay cut, which is scheduled to go into effect on July 1. (Associated Press) The House passed the measure by a vote of 355-59, despite a potential presidential veto. Democrats want to fund the delayed cut by decreasing funding to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, and President Bush has threatened to veto any bill that cuts funding to MAs. In any case, the House-passed bill … [Read more...] about House Passes Bill to Stop Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
Senate Democrats Fall Short on Medicare Physicians Payment Bill
Last week, Democrats in the Senate did not get the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture and begin debate on a measure that would delay a 10.6 percent Medicare physicians fee cut for 18 months. (Kaiser Network) As I mentioned before, Democrats in both houses of Congress are trying to delay the cut, which goes into effect on July 1, 2008. The Bush administration seeks to reduce funding to Medicare and Medicaid programs and will veto any bill that proposes to cut funding to Medicare Advantage (MA) … [Read more...] about Senate Democrats Fall Short on Medicare Physicians Payment Bill
Senate Democrats Push Medicare Advantage Plans Cut
The drama on Capitol Hill continues. Democrats in the Senate are continuing to push a bill that would stop a 10.6 percent Medicare physician payment cut. To fund the cut, they propose to reduce funding to Medicare Advantage plans. President Bush said he will veto any bill that cuts funding to these plans. (Kaiser Network) An excerpt: CQ Today reports that the veto threat "will almost certainly force a compromise later this month." Senate Republicans have proposed a $14.9 billion, … [Read more...] about Senate Democrats Push Medicare Advantage Plans Cut
Hospitals Hope Nocturnists Will Improve Quality of Overnight Care
An interesting story from the Wall Street Journal: In attempt to reduce the rate of deaths, medical errors, and complications, some hospitals are hiring doctors called "nocturnists" who work only night shifts. These hospitals are hoping the quality of overnight care will improve by hiring physicians and critical care workers to deal with whatever problems arise during the night. Traditionally, doctors work on call, and nighttime hospital staffs are on the thin side. "People get sick 24 … [Read more...] about Hospitals Hope Nocturnists Will Improve Quality of Overnight Care
CMS to Test Medicare Bundled Payments
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a program called the Acute Care Episode (ACE) to test hospital and physician services bundled payments in an effort to improve quality of care through Medicare fee-for-service. (Source) Under the current system, CMS pays the hospital a certain amount and pays physicians who cared for the patient separately. According to CMS, separate payment systems may lead to conflicts of interests and affect health care … [Read more...] about CMS to Test Medicare Bundled Payments
Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates, Texas Medical Board Amendments, Etc.
The following information was found in the May 9 issue of the Texas Register: Open Meetings and Notices The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has issued correction notices about proposed Medicaid payment rates for certain procedures associated with the 2008 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. The notices contained an incorrect phone number, procedure code description, and HCPCS description. Click on the link for more information. The Texas Board of Nursing … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Medicaid Payment Rates, Texas Medical Board Amendments, Etc.