Lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue to debate and discuss Medicare issues. This week, the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss the competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment. (Kaiser Network) Durable equipment includes prosthetics, orthotics, and other tools, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services is tasked with selecting suppliers based on bids. The program will expand to 70 additional Metropolitan Statistical Areas in 2009. An … [Read more...] about Medicare Durable Equipment Hearing on the Hill
Bush Agrees to Medicaid Rules Moratorium
The Bush administration has agreed to a moratorium on two of seven proposed Medicaid rules, which include limiting Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals and nursing homes run by state and local governments, so lawmakers can discuss and agree to changes. (Medical News Today) As you may recall, the administration proposed to limit physician reimbursement rates and stopped the expansion of Medicaid programs like the State Children's Health Insurance Program. According to U.S. Department of … [Read more...] about Bush Agrees to Medicaid Rules Moratorium
$20 Million Funding Reduction for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new rule that would reduce funding for inpatient rehabilitation facilities in fiscal year 2009. According to CQ Health Beat (via Kaiser Network), the $20 million reduction, required by Congress, would prevent a cut to Medicare physicians payments. The same legislation reauthorizes the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). In other SCHIP news, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) contends that the Bush … [Read more...] about $20 Million Funding Reduction for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
Medicare Physician Reimbursement Cut Delay?
A 10 percent reduction in reimbursements for Medicare physicians could be delayed for 18 months, if Democratic Congressman Max Baucus's plan is successful. (Kaiser Network) Medicare physicians will see their reimbursements cut by 10 percent beginning July 1, 2008. Under Baucus's plan, the cut would be delayed until 2010, and reimbursement rates would be raised by 1.1 percent. He also wants to increase and link reimbursements for primary care physicians (PCP) to quality of care. The … [Read more...] about Medicare Physician Reimbursement Cut Delay?
California Medi-Cal Director Failed to Review Physician Reimbursement Rates
According to the Sacramento Bee (via Medical News Today), California has not been complying with a law that requires the Medi-Cal director to review physician reimbursement rates every year. According to Sandra Shewry, director of the California Department of Health Care Services, the 1976 law is obsolete, passed when health care spending "made up a smaller portion of the state budget and the health department made annual recommendations for adjustments in the rates." The review requirement … [Read more...] about California Medi-Cal Director Failed to Review Physician Reimbursement Rates
California Coalition Will File Suit to Stop Medicaid Cuts
As you may recall, the Bush administration has proposed to cut spending on programs like Medicaid, including reducing physician reimbursements. A coalition of local governments and providers in California plans to file a lawsuit to stop these cuts. (Kaiser Network) San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said that a proposed 10 percent reimbursement reduction could serve as a disincentive to doctors treating patients in Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. He fears patients will seek treatment … [Read more...] about California Coalition Will File Suit to Stop Medicaid Cuts
Texas Register Updates: Hearing on External/Internal Assessment, Etc.
The following information was obtained from the March 7 issue of the Texas Register: Open Meetings The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) will hold a public hearing to receive comments about the External/Internal Assessment, which will be included in the Texas Health and Human Service System Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-2013. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at 4:00 p.m., in the Winters Building Public Hearing Room at 701 W. 51st … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Hearing on External/Internal Assessment, Etc.
House Seeks to Expand SCHIP Through Budget Reconciliation Bill
Although President George W. Bush twice vetoed bills that would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Democrats in the House of Representatives are still trying to find ways to expand the program. (Kaiser Network) Last week, Charles Rangel, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said the House budget reconciliation bill would include provisions to expand SCHIP and stop a 10 percent Medicare physician payment reduction. The measure would increase SCHIP … [Read more...] about House Seeks to Expand SCHIP Through Budget Reconciliation Bill
Governors Criticize Medicaid Cost Shift
The National Governors Association has gone on record to oppose the Bush administration's proposal to shift more Medicaid costs to the states. (Kaiser Network) The shift reportedly will save $15 billion over five years. One change under the new rules is that states no longer will be allowed to use Medicaid funds to help pay for physician training. The administration contends there's "no explicit authorization under the Medicaid statute to subsidize the training of physicians." This change … [Read more...] about Governors Criticize Medicaid Cost Shift
Kaiser Releases Medicare Report
The Kaiser Network has released a reported titled "Financing Medicare: An Issue Brief," which gives an overview of Medicare's future, including funding issues and challenges. In other Medicare news, lawmakers say they will resume the business of Medicare, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and Medicaid policy changes in 2008. One issue on the list is preventing a 10 percent cut in Medicare physician fees. Other issues include genetic non-discrimination and discussing the Bush … [Read more...] about Kaiser Releases Medicare Report
