Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement
BILL WATCH
The following bills were introduced in the House: HR 5278. A bill to ensure and foster continued patient safety and quality of care by making the antitrust laws apply to negotiations between groups of independent pharmacies and health plans and health insurance issuers in the same manner as such laws apply to collective bargaining by labor organizations under the National Labor Relations Act, to ensure integrity in the operation of pharmacy benefit managers, and to preserve access standards to community pharmacies under the Medicare outpatient prescription drug program. Introduced Oct. 7 by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Ways and Means. HR 5309. A bill to extend the filing deadline for certain Medicare claims to account for a delay in processing adjustments from secondary payer status to primary payer status. Introduced Oct. 8 by Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL), referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce. HR 5311. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide whistleblower protection to employees of clinical laboratories who furnish services under the Medicare program. Introduced Oct. 8 by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means. HR 5331. A bill to amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal the reduction in Medicare payment through competitive bidding for certain items of durable medical equipment. Introduced Oct. 8 by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NT), referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means. The following bills were introduced in the Senate: S 2911. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make improvements in the Medicare competitive acquisition programs for certain items and services. Introduced Oct. 7 by Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL), referred to the Committee on Finance. S 2929. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend the minimum Medicare deadlines for filing claims to take into account delay in processing adjustments from secondary payer status to primary payer status. Introduced Oct. 7 by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-FL), referred to the Committee on Finance.
Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement
- ONCOLOGY:
Get Ready For Increased Chemotherapy Coverage
CMS may expand definition of chemotherapy in 2005.
The CPT Editorial Panel made some far-reaching decisions [...] - REHAB:
What PTs Do Wrong When Billing For Home Visits
PTs need to show they delivered skilled therapy.
Therapists know that Medicare will reimburse for home [...] - HOSPITALS:
New Fraud Hotspots For Hospitals Revealed
Hospitals should hone in on these key compliance areas.
The HHS Office of Inspector General has [...] - LONG-TERM CARE:
The Most Overlooked Billing Opportunity For SNFs
Many nursing homes accidentally volunteer for a cut in their Medicare reimbursement.
Nursing home administrators often [...] - LABS:
What The New Screening Regs Mean For Labs
Diabetes, heart disease screening changes will help labs in 2005.
Next year labs won't always need [...] - HOSPITALS:
What's Shaking For New Distinct-Part Units
Get the latest word on new reform bill provision for CAHs.
Critical access hospitals that want [...] - COVERAGE:
Get Set For New HCPCS Updating Process
What you need to know about Medicare's effort to 'speed the use of technology.'
Dramatic increases [...] - ENFORCEMENT WATCH:
Take Pains To Avoid These Delivery Billing Mistakes
Why one physician had to hand over half a million to Medicaid.
Physician practices that bill [...] - PHYSICIANS:
Will CMS Pay Interest On Claims Delayed By PECOS?
Stay tuned for more enrollment bottlenecks in 2005.
With providers waiting months before they can bill [...] - BILL WATCH
The following bills were introduced in the House: HR 5278. A bill to ensure and [...]
