Medicare Part B

GAO: Medicare spent $48 billion on improper fee-for-service payments

July 29, 2011

The federal government spent nearly $48 billion on improper Medicare payments in 2010 according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. The report was released just prior to a House Oversight Committee hearing on government efficiency.
 

Doctors wait patiently for Congress to act on 'doc fix'

November 16, 2010

Doctors across the United States are taking a wait-and-see approach while Congress decides whether or not to allow a scheduled 23% cut in Medicare reimbursement rates to take effect on Dec. 1.
 

'Tis nursing home conference season

October 22, 2010

It's hard to believe we're in the midst of another conference season. The American Health Care Association's annual meeting already has passed and the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging's is about a week away.
 

Part D drug consolidation could save Medicare $150 million, CMS finds

October 20, 2010

Consolidating drugs covered by Medicare Part B and Part D under Part D could save Medicare nearly $150 million, according to a new report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
 

AHCA gears up for annual therapy caps fight, pushes to reform therapy rule

October 13, 2010

As the end of the year approaches, long-term care providers will be lobbying to extend the therapy caps exceptions process, which is set to end Dec. 31. Another therapy issue—a proposed rule to reduce payments when multiple therapy procedures are provided to a Medicare beneficiary in one day—also is on providers' radar screens.
 

Healthcare reforms brighten outlook for Medicare trust fund, trustees say

August 06, 2010

The financial outlook for the seniors' healthcare program has been "substantially improved" by the new healthcare reforms, according to a new report from the Medicare Board of Trustees released Thursday.
 

A new hit to therapy providers

July 09, 2010

Another proposed rehab rule threatens to cut significant revenues from long-term care providers.
 

Long-term care leaders criticize Washington Post article on reimbursements

March 31, 2010

A recent Washington Post analysis of the use of "ultra-high" reimbursement categories for nursing homes "paints a negative, incomplete picture of the growing role and tangible benefits associated with skilled nursing facility (SNF) patient care," two leading long-term care advocates said.
 

Healthcare reform bill to delay implementation of RUG-IV until 2011

March 23, 2010

The RUG-IV classification system will not start until Oct. 1, 2011, under the new healthcare reform bill.
 

New draft legislation would extend therapy caps exceptions process

February 12, 2010

Senate Finance Committee leaders Thursday issued a draft of a jobs-creation bill. The legislation would extend the Medicare Part B therapy caps exceptions process and delay through Sept. 30 an impending 21% cut in payments for Medicare physicians.
 

Snowstorm in capital sidelines discussions on therapy caps, Medicare physician pay cut

February 11, 2010

A snowstorm that pummeled the East Coast this week has delayed the Senate's consideration of a jobs bill that would extend the Medicare Part B therapy caps exceptions process and prevent a pay cut for Medicare physicians, according to reports from Washington.
 

Need grows for therapy caps resolution

February 05, 2010

My how things change. Just a month ago a healthcare reform bill seemed en route to passage. Now its very existence is in question and, by extension, some key long-term care services are too.
 

Letter urges Congress to extend therapy caps exceptions process

January 28, 2010

A coalition of 32 healthcare-related organizations, including the two major nursing home organizations, is imploring lawmakers to immediately reinstate the exceptions process for Medicare Part B outpatient therapy caps.
 

OIG: Medicare pays too much for nutrient therapy in nursing homes

January 12, 2010

Medicare's fee schedule for enteral nutrients under Medicare Part B was more than double the prices available to suppliers to nursing homes in 2006, according to a newly released report from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General.
 

Extension of therapy caps exceptions process hinges on healthcare reform passage

January 08, 2010

Whether or not you are a fan of healthcare reform, here's one reason Congress should pass it: It would extend the therapy caps exceptions process.
 

Therapy caps exceptions process still set to expire by year's end

November 30, 2009

Unless Congress takes action to extend it, the exceptions process for Medicare Part B therapy caps will expire Dec. 31.
 

Medicare Part A deductible to rise by $32 in 2010

October 21, 2009

The Medicare Part A deductible will increase by $32 in 2010 to $1,100, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
 

Medicare Part B premium freeze put on ice

October 12, 2009

A measure that would prevent a cut to Social Security payments failed in the Senate. As a result, rising Medicare Part B premiums are expected to adversely affect 27% of Medicare beneficiaries.
 
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