Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement
Medicare Projected to Go Broke in 2024, Trustees' Report Says
Part A is poised to run out of money -- and although safe for now, Part B could be at risk, report indicates. If you're looking for a scary read, forget about Stephen King novels -- go straight to the new Medicare Part A spending is growing faster than taxes are coming in to pay for the program, and the Part A coffers will be empty by 2024 unless the government takes action, according to the "2012 Annual Report of the Boards of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance and Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds." Part B and Part D accounts "are adequately financed under current law, since premium and general revenue income are reset each year to match the expected costs," the report notes. "Such financing, however, would have to increase faster than the economy to match expected expenditure growth under current law." ACA Allowed for Eight Extra Years of Part A Funding Despite the bleak outlook, CMS reps were quick to point out that changes implemented by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed the Medicare program to stay funded eight years longer than previously expected. "The If Congress takes no action to correct Medicare's depleting funds, the program will be able to cover just 87 percent of estimated expenditures in 2024, and only 67 percent of projected costs in 2050, CMS notes. "In practice," the agency adds in a news release, "Congress has never allowed a Medicare trust fund to exhaust its assets." Some analysts pointed to indications that the future may actually look worse than what the To read the
Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement
- Billing Corner:
Overcome Primary vs. Secondary Payer Woes with Answers to Your FAQs
Start with the basics and then move on to learning the intricacies. When a patient [...] - Follow These CMS Rules for Submitting Medicare Secondary Payer Claims
Hint: Copy all beneficiary insurance cards, not just the Medicare one. When Part B practices [...] - Medicare Funding:
Medicare Projected to Go Broke in 2024, Trustees' Report Says
Part A is poised to run out of money -- and although safe for now, Part [...] - Compliance:
Avoid Five Common Compliance Landmines
Follow these strategies to ensure you stay on the right side of the law. Every [...] - Reimbursement:
Don't Miss This Increase in the Medicare ACF for All 2012 Claims
Re-analyze your claims for Q1 services that deserve higher pay. You have reason to celebrate [...] - Rural Health:
Follow the Updated Definition of "Privileged" Provider for Ordering Hospital Services
CMS clarifies Transmittal 72 regarding rehab, respiratory care referrals. If you work in a rural [...] - Home Health Certification:
Beware F2F Documentation Signed By Residents
CMS answers about face-to-face requirements raise more questions. That face-to-face documentation you have signed by [...] - Industry Note:
CMS Debuts New 'Date of Death' Code
CMS Debuts New 'Date of Death' Code When a patient passes away while in your [...] - Reader Question:
How Should You Bill Medicare?
Question: We are participating with Medicare. We bill and submit claims to Trailblazer (J4 MAC). [...] - Reader Question:
Ensure That Physician Performs Initial Nursing Facility Visit
Question: I am receiving denial C0-170 (Payment is denied when preformed/billed by this type of [...]
