From the HHS News Release: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new initiative made possible by the Affordable Care Act to help primary care practices deliver higher quality, more coordinated and patient-centered care. Under the new initiative, Medicare will work with commercial and state health insurance plans to offer […]
From the HHS News Release: This year, as beneficiaries look over their available plan options, they will see better value in the Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug (Part D) plan benefits. All beneficiaries will have access to Medicare-covered preventive services at zero cost-sharing, including an Annual Wellness Visit. Those in the Part […]
From the HHS News Release: On average, Medicare Advantage premiums will be 4 percent lower in 2012 than in 2011, and plans project enrollment to increase by 10 percent, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today. Of people with Medicare, 99.7 percent continue to enjoy access to a Medicare Advantage plan, […]
Each year, the Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Program makes billions of dollars in estimated improper payments. CMS employs several types of Review Contractors to measure, prevent, identify, and correct these improper payments. For more information about Medicare improper payments, go to www.paymentaccuracy.gov Review Contractors find the improper payments by selecting a small sample of claims, requesting […]
From the HHS News Release: Vice President Biden announced a new initiative to fight waste in Medicaid that is estimated to save taxpayers over $2 billion, unveiled new efforts to track state progress in reducing improper unemployment insurance payments, and directed each Cabinet secretary to undertake a waste and efficiency review that will target […]
From the HHS News Release: New rules have been proposed that would expand the rights of patients to access their health information through the use of health information technology (IT). Specifically, the new rules would empower patients and allow them to gain access to test results reports directly from labs. They would ensure that labs […]
From the HHS News Release: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with several key initial partners, has launched Million Hearts, an initiative that aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years. Currently, cardiovascular disease costs $444 billion every year in medical costs and lost productivity in […]
Statement of Work (SOW) for Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) A new version of the RAC Final Statement of Work has been posted from CMS. While the pages are not dated, the title indicates an update from September, 2011. This document contains 57 pages and is in .pdf format. Download the file here Other information from […]
From the HHS News Release: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the availability of approximately $700 million to help build, expand and improve community health centers across the U.S. to provide needed care to low-income Americans. The funds, authorized by the Affordable Care Act, will support renovation and construction projects, […]