Category: CMS
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Countdown To ICD-10: Prepared For Success? Or, Prepared To Fail?
The Oct. 1, 2014 ICD-10 implementation deadline is quickly approaching, leaving the healthcare industry little time to prepare for the transition. Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has previously extended the implementation deadline, the agency has strongly advised the industry that future extensions are unlikely.
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House passes short-term spending bill, but bigger budget obstacles remain
The measure, which now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature, will fund the government through September. Meanwhile, the Senate and House still have larger issues on the long-term budget, including conflicting views on funding levels for entitlements such as Medicaid.
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Senators Re-introduce Rural Telehealth Legislation
A pair of U.S. Senators is trying to expand the use of telehealth under Medicare to reduce readmissions in rural and underserved communities. The Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD), hope the Fostering Independence Through Technology (FITT) Act can pass through and create pilot programs that will provide incentives to home health agencies…
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Advocates, public consider Medicare cost savings as debate continues
Medicare costs — and controlling them — are on the minds of the public, patient advocates, lawmakers and doctors as the debate spills off Capitol Hill and into American discourse.
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AHIMA: Medicare Recovery Audit Legislation is Needed
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) has announced its support for the Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2013, which it says would address critical data related operational problems to the Medicare Recovery Audit program. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) has announced its support for the Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2013, which…
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Arkansas report finds little additional federal costs would result from state’s ‘private option’ for Medicaid expansion
The report, issued by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, found that the plan would add less than 15 percent to federal health care costs in the state.
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Senators set to push for details on CMS Innovation Center
Senators will get their first chance Wednesday to press for operational details from the head of a fledgling CMS office with the power to drive wide-scale changes in Medicare and Medicaid.
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Some lawmakers signal openness to grand deal on deficit
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., suggested during the Sunday talk shows that a deal that includes tax revenue and changes to entitlement programs including Medicare is possible while Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., conveyed openness to Medicare changes. Durbin’s comments included shots at the House budget plan advanced by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
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Viewpoints: Two views of Medicare equipment bidding changes; High Court case may impact FDA approval process
In 2010, Medicare spent more than $14 billion on oxygen devices, mobility scooters, diabetes test strips and other “durable medical equipment” and supplies that patients use at home.
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Medicaid expansion continues to be Florida flashpoint
Health advocates and some lawmakers rallied last week in Tallahassee to expand Medicaid coverage, but the Florida House speaker says the expansion is “dead” in his state. In addition, debate over this health law provision continues in Louisiana.