Providers found themselves holding their breath again at press time over a potential “fix” to a Medicare doctor payment formula that officially triggered a 21% pay cut April 1.
But unlike a year ago, when they disapproved of what was being proposed, long-term care leaders were crossing their fingers for swift Senate passage of a bill that cleared the House just before a two-week Spring recess.
Senate Republicans promised few attempted amendments and a quick vote on the bill after returning April 13. Despite some members’ grumbling about the cost, leaders expressed confidence the bill would pass.
The legislation includes a capped market basket payment increase of 1% in fiscal 2018 for skilled nursing operators.
The House version also included a two-year extension of the therapy caps exception process and relief from the therapy manual medical review
From the May 08, 2015 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
