More than four months after the triumphant passage of health overhaul, Democrats succeeded in clearing another part of their health care agenda: $16 billion in extra federal Medicaid assistance to the states.  Party leaders had tried a bunch of times to keep the Medicaid money flowing, finally succeeding when they added $10 billion in aid for teacher salaries to the package Tuesday.  (more…)

In another section of the physician fee schedule rule published in the Federal  Register  (“Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2011”), CMS noted that unless Congress acts, the therapy caps exceptions process will expire on December 31, 2010. CMS proffered for discussion and comment three possible alternatives to the outpatient therapy caps.  (more…)

On July 13^th the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published in the Federal  Register a proposed rule (“Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2011”) that contains a proposal that would adversely impact reimbursement for rehabilitation providers under the Medicare program. If enacted, reimbursement for Part B services would be radically changed (meaning reduced).  (more…)

It’s official, at least until the end of 2011. Health care quality expert Donald Berwick will run the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  The Obama administration, no doubt frustrated that the Senate couldn’t get its act together to confirm Berwick, finally announced late Tuesday that it is temporarily bypassing that body and installing him this week. (more…)

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the CY 2011 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule (the Proposed Rule) addressing annual updates to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and other Medicare Part B payment policies. (more…)