The House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee March 20 passed Medicare regulatory and appeals reform legislation addressing a multitude of problems. Among other things, the legislation would ensure that new regulations aren't applied retroactively and would prohibit recovery of overpayments if providers follow erroneous guidance in writing from Medicare or contractor officials.
One controversial measure in the law, the move to place administrative law judges in the Department of Health and Human Services instead of its current place in the Social Security Administration, was tempered by language added in the markup session. The changes require that although ALJs would move to HHS, they would not be incorporated into the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The law still must go through the House Commerce Committee and the full House and Senate.