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Medicare extenders letter

Several healthcare groups, including the American Health Care Association, last week urged congressional leaders to address “harmful Medicare policies” set to take effect Jan. 1, 2011.

The nine policies include the expiration of the exceptions process for Medicare Part B therapy caps. The groups ask leaders in a letter to extend the exceptions process and other provisions beyond Dec. 31, 2010. (See attached letter.)

“Failure to pass legislation to extend these various Medicare policies will prompt limited access to services for beneficiaries in rural and other under-served areas, payments cuts to health care professionals, as well as the creation of an unsustainable healthcare environment,” the organizations say in the letter.