Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to block a rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would have reduced Medicare inpatient hospital reimbursements in FY 2008 by 2.4 percent. (Kaiser Network) CMS apparently anticipates that hospitals will bill Medicare for services that reimburse at higher rates "in response to changes that would link payments with the severity of the illnesses of patients." The proposed rule to reduce … [Read more...] about House Blocks Medicare Inpatient Hospital Reimbursement Reduction
Provider Letters: Complex Needs Waiver Programs, Medicare Certification
In a letter to Home and Community Support Services Agencies, Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Staff, and All Other Stakeholders dated June 1, DADS announced that it is hosting half-day training sessions on “Meeting Complex Needs in Waiver Programs Registration Information.†The sessions will answer questions about licensing rules and contract requirements for accepting complex needs patients in the following 1915(c) Medicaid waiver programs: Consolidated Waiver Program, … [Read more...] about Provider Letters: Complex Needs Waiver Programs, Medicare Certification
Bush Proposes Medicare Reimbursement Cuts to Fund Proposals
The Bush administration seeks to cut Medicare reimbursements to hospitals, home health agencies, and skilled nursing facilities in an effort to save as much as $100 billion to fund health care proposals. (Kaiser Network) Last week, the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, chaired by Democrat Pete Stark, held a hearing to consider a proposal from the Bush administration “to freeze Medicare reimbursements for home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities." A health care … [Read more...] about Bush Proposes Medicare Reimbursement Cuts to Fund Proposals
Long Term Care Providers Face More Medicare Reimbursement Cuts
Providers receiving Medicare reimbursements could see more reductions in reimbursements by 2011, the Kaiser Network reports. Under the 2005 Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act, which President Bush signed into law in 2006, the federal government will be required to withhold three percent of payments to business that pay taxes and contract with the government. This law will significantly affect providers that depend on Medicare reimbursements to operate. Lawmakers are working to … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Providers Face More Medicare Reimbursement Cuts
Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Bill Stalls in Senate
Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would require the government to negotiate Medicare Part D prescription drug prices with drug companies. (See Congress Debates Medicare Part D Drug Price Negotiating) Last week, the measure failed to receive enough for votes for a floor debate in the Senate. (Medical News Today) Those who oppose the bill fear that requiring the government to negotiate instead of allowing the market to dictate drug prices will stifle drug … [Read more...] about Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Bill Stalls in Senate
Payment Reforms for Inpatient Hospital Services
In an effort to improve the accuracy of payment under the acute care hospital inpatient prospective payment system and give hospitals incentives to improve quality, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a new rule. From the press release: Medicare’s inpatient rates for operating expenses will increase by 3.3 percent in FY 2008 for those hospitals that report quality data to CMS. Overall, the proposed rule is estimated to increase payments to more than 3,500 acute … [Read more...] about Payment Reforms for Inpatient Hospital Services
States To Share $30 Million For Health Insurance Counseling
All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands will share $30 million in grant money to provide health insurance counseling services to Medicare beneficiaries, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, or SHIPs, will help beneficiaries figure out which insurance coverage is best for them. The program should be quite helpful for Medicare Part D enrollees. Under SHIPs, counseling will be more … [Read more...] about States To Share $30 Million For Health Insurance Counseling
CMS Publishes Physician-Related Updates
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided incentives for physicians to report quality data. As the process may be too expensive for smaller practices, CMS implemented a three-year pilot program that will pay 800 small- or medium-sized practices in Arkansas, California, Massachusetts, and Utah to report quality care data for Medicare patients with chronic conditions. I blogged about this program last year, though it may not be the same one discussed in this press … [Read more...] about CMS Publishes Physician-Related Updates
Congress Debates Medicare Part D Drug Price Negotiating
Congressional discussions about the government negotiating Medicare Part D drug prices is ongoing. Although President George W. Bush has threatened to veto legislation allowing the government to negotiate prescription drug prices, lawmakers are moving forward. The House of Representatives passed a measure that would require the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to barter with drug companies over Medicare Part D drug prices. (UPI) The Senate version of the bill is … [Read more...] about Congress Debates Medicare Part D Drug Price Negotiating
Medicare Advantage Payment Rates To Increase
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that payment rates for Medicare Advantage plans will increase by 3.5 percent in 2008. (CQ Health Beat News) Medicare Advantage plans offer beneficiaries the traditional fee-for-service program with the option to receive Medicare through private insurance plans like health maintenance organizations and preferred provider plans. CMS also announced updates to Medicare Part D. The new annual percentage increase used for updating … [Read more...] about Medicare Advantage Payment Rates To Increase
