Medicare Update

Recent Posts from Medicare Update

• Senate Health Care Reform Bill Provides for Recovery Audit Contractor Expansion

  In Section 6411 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R.3590), the Senate Democratic health care reform bill provides for the expansion of the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program. Specifically, Section 6411 provides for…

• House Passes Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009

  On November 19, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed (by a vote of 243-183) the Medicare Physician Payment the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009 (H.R.3961). As previously reported, H.R.3961 would repeal the…

• Senate Health Reform Bill Includes Significant Medicare Payment Reductions

  On November 18, 2009, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) releases its cost estimate associated with the Senate Democrat's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R.3590). According to the CBO, the provisions of H.R.3590 would cost…

• CMS to Host Ambulance Open Door Forum

  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it will hold the next Ambulance Open Door Forum at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on December 9, 2009. To participate by telephone, one must dial…

• UPDATE: White House Expresses Support for Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act

  On November 18, 2009, the Office of Management and Budget released a statement strongly supporting the U.S. House of Representative's passage of the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009 (H.R.3961). The American Medical Association…

• UPDATE: Senator Reid Unveils the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

  On November 18, 2009, Senator Harry Reid unveiled a 2,074 page Senate Democratic health care reform bill titled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R.3590). Although the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not yet…

• CMS to Host Physicians, Nurses & Allied Health Professionals Open Door Forum

  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host the next Physicians, Nurses & Allied Health Professionals Open Door Forum at 3:30 p.m. (ET) on December 16, 2009. There are 2 ways to participate…

• UPDATE: OMB Reports Medicare Improper Payment Rates for FY 2009

  On November 17, 2009, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released data on improper payments made by the Federal government during fiscal year (FY) 2009. The data reveals that the Federal government made $98…

• White House OMB Director Advocates for Medicare Commission

  Peter Orszag, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, advocates for a Medicare Commission: Subscribe to Medicare Update, follow me on Twitter @MedicareUpdate, and become a fan on Facebook.

• CMS Posts New FAQ on HCPCS/CPT Codes and Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors

  On November 17, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) on the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Program. As reflected on the CMS website, the new…