A new Medicare overhaul proposed by two Republican senators on Thursday would save an estimated $200 billion to $500 billion over 10 years by way of “premium support.”
Congress returns to full action; focus turns back to therapy cap process, docs and State of the Union
Jan 20, 2012
The U.S. Senate ends its recess Monday, six days after the House reconvened. That sets the stage for more intense lobbying over healthcare spending and other measures, including the Medicare Part B therapy...
Congress votes to prevent whopping physician pay cut
Dec 23, 2011
The House and Senate voted Friday morning to pass a two-month extension of the so-called “doc fix,” preventing a scheduled 27.4% cut in Medicare payments for physicians.
Physician pay cut uncertainty could crash Medicare computer system, official warns
Dec 21, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has warned that its computer systems could crash due to a backlog of claims unless Congress acts to prevent a scheduled 27.4% physician pay cut.
New ‘doc fix’ solution could be on the way following House vote on payroll tax cut bill
Dec 21, 2011
Amidst a wave of criticism from provider groups and patient advocates after the vote, Reps. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) and Michael Burgess (R-TN) indicated they are in favor of developing a stand-alone “doc...
CMS instructs contractors to hold physician payment claims as House votes down payroll tax cut bill
Dec 20, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has instructed claims contractors to withhold physician payment claims for the first 10 days of 2012, citing Congress’ inability to address the “doc...
Providers tense, as House leaders vow to vote around Senate-approved measure with ‘doc fix’...
Dec 19, 2011
Provider groups were anxiously awaiting a vote that is expected to be held Tuesday in the U.S. House of Representatives. The balloting could determine the short-term fate of Medicare spending for the “doc...
GOP bill discounting Medicare bad debt ignites skilled nursing backlash
Dec 12, 2011
Advocates for skilled nursing operators started a counteroffensive Monday in Washington to fight bad-debt provisions of a new House GOP spending bill. Introduced Friday, the bill asks skilled nursing operators...
GOP bill would extend Medicare therapy caps exceptions process, delay physician pay cut for two years
Dec 09, 2011
House Republicans introduced legislation Friday that would extend the outpatient therapy caps exception process. Without Congressional action, the caps would go back into full effect Jan. 1. The proposed...