Kaiser network.org, DC – Jan 12, 2009. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission on Friday approved a set of recommendations that would revise the current Medicare payment system, … MedPAC Approves Recommendation To Revise Medicare Reimbursement … SNF rates should remain unchanged in 2010, MedPAC says McKnight’s Long Term Care NewsMedPAC Approves Recommendations To Reduce Reimbursements To Home […]

HFMA News – Jan. 8, 2009. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the final five contractors that will process and pay Medicare claims for healthcare services under the Medicare fee-for-service program.  Click title to read more… The new contracts, which will be administered for up to 5 years, will process and […]

Kaisernetwork.org – Jan. 7, 2009. The House on Tuesday voted 242-181 to approve an operating rules package (H Res 5) that eliminates the Medicare trigger, which requires the president to submit a plan to contain Medicare costs if they reach a certain level, CQ Today reports. The trigger was approved as part of the 2003 […]

Kaisernetwork.org – Jan. 7, 2009. President-elect Barack Obama on Monday met with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to discuss an economic stimulus package that includes funds for health care programs, the Chicago Tribune reports (Puzzanghera/Parsons, Chicago Tribune, 1/6). During multiple meetings, Obama met House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Senate […]

Catskill Daily Mail, NY – Jan. 7, 2009. Billing Medicaid for detoxification services that were not medically necessary and/or failed to meet professional standards for health care. … NY hospitals implicated in Medicaid fraud FierceHealthcare7 hospitals in NY accused of $50M Medicaid fraud The Associated PressColumbia Memorial sued for Medicaid fraud Columbia Independent OnlineNewsday – Times Herald-Recordall […]

Kaisernetwork.org – Jan. 5, 2009. Summaries of recent news involving Medicaid in Louisiana, Rhode Island and Texas appear in this article…  Click title to read more… Louisiana: Louisiana’s Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget on Friday approved Gov. Bobby Jindal’s (R) plan to seek a federal Medicaid waiver that would allow the state to overhaul […]

HFMA.org – Jan 05, 2009. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reports that state legislatures across the country enacted 31,000 laws in 2008, some of which become effective Jan. 1, 2009. The issues range from healthcare reform to criminal justice to labor practices. Among the new health-related laws that became effective Jan. 1 are: […]

HFMA.org – Dec. 31, 2008. January 1, 2009, marks the beginning of the New Year and of the effective date of a revised voluntary code by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) on interactions between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals. Changes in the revised code include: A prohibition on the distribution of non-educational […]

Forbes, NY – Dec 31, 2008. With Medicare fraud rising, CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems said the bond is “additional oversight” for suppliers, especially those looking “for any … Medicare fraud, big in Fla., prompts new bond rule MiamiHerald.comFighting Equipment Fraud, Medicare Amps Up Rules for Suppliers Wall Street Journal BlogsMedicare Cuts Off California, Florida Home Equipment […]