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
Medicare Audit Recovers $700 Million In Improper Payments
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), private auditors have recovered close to $700 million in improper Medicare payments to providers in six states, including New York, California, and Florida. Eighty-five percent of overpayments was collected from inpatient hospitals, six percent from inpatient rehab facilities, and four percent from outpatient hospital providers. CMS pays private auditors a portion of Medicare payments found to be "improper." Is this a … [Read more...] about Medicare Audit Recovers $700 Million In Improper Payments
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
Information Letters: Duplicate Payments, Billing Training
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has released two information letters: Office of Inspector General Review of Medical and Therapeutic Supplies DADS informed Community Based Alternatives, Home and Community Support Services Agencies, Primary Home Care Program Providers, Consolidated Waiver Program Providers, Medically Dependent Children Program Providers, Community Living Assistance and Support Services Providers, and Integrated Care Management 1915(c) Waiver … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Duplicate Payments, Billing Training
Information Letters: Transaction Notice Forms, Waiver Claims, Etc.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has issued five information letters: Submission of the Resident Transaction Notice Form 3618 and Medicare/SNF Patient Transaction Notice Form 3619 In a letter to Medicare Nursing Facility Providers, DADS reminded these providers about the requirement and the steps to complete the process when submitting Form 3618 and Form 3619 for Medicaid or Medicare eligible recipients, applicants for medical assistance or Medicaid … [Read more...] about Information Letters: Transaction Notice Forms, Waiver Claims, Etc.
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
Dual Eligible Lawsuit Settled
Beneficiaries of Medicaid can continue buying prescription drugs at a low cost once they become eligible for Medicare, according to a class action lawsuit settlement. (Kaiser Network) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the settlement last week. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 6.2 million "dual eligible" Medicaid beneficiaries. Under the 2003 Medicare law, dual eligibles are supposed to receive assistance for buying prescription drugs, but beneficiaries were … [Read more...] about Dual Eligible Lawsuit Settled
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
Congress Battles Over Medicare/Medicaid Funding
Although President Bush has proposed to reduce funding to programs like Medicare and Medicaid, both houses of Congress have other plans. Last week, the House of Representatives voted to approve a $3.1 trillion FY 2009 budget that excludes President Bush's proposed Medicare and Medicaid program cuts. (Kaiser Network) Kaiser reports (via the Washington Post) that Democrats may wait until the new administration to pass spending bills to avoid the current president's veto. Meanwhile, Democrats … [Read more...] about Congress Battles Over Medicare/Medicaid Funding
