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President Signs SGR Repeal into Law
On April 16, President Obama signed the bi-partisan, bi-cameral Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization (MACRA) Act into law. The new law (Public Law No: 114-10) repeals the flawed formula known as the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) that forced deep rate cuts to reimbursement of physician and other practitioner services paid under the Physician Fee Schedule with a new incentive program. Read more.
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CMS' Proposed Rules for SNFs & IRFs Underscore Importance of IMPACT Act
NASL members received notice on April 15, 2015 when CMS released its proposed rule for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS). In addition to Medicare rates for FY2016, the proposed rule details implementation of the SNF Quality Reporting Program authorized by the IMPACT Act. Late today, CMS issued its proposal for payment and policy changes for Medicare Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs). Quality measures found in the just-released IRF PPS proposal appear to parallel those outlined in the SNF PPS proposed rule. Read CMS’ announcement about the IRF PPS proposed rule.
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Highlights from House E & C Health Subcommittee Hearing on Improving Medicare PAC Delivery
On April 16, 2015, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to discuss options for improving post-acute care (PAC) for Medicare patients. Subcommittee members reviewed the Bundling & Coordinating Post-Acute Care Act (BACPAC) of 2015 (H.R. 1458). Read more.
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Highlights from Senate Hearing on Telehealth
Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation & the Internet, convened a hearing on April 21, 2015 entitled, Advancing Telehealth Through Connectivity. The hearing examined the progress made by the private sector and government entities to expand the benefits of telehealth nationwide, particularly in rural areas. The hearing also explored the connectivity challenges facing many healthcare providers and patients attempting to take advantage of innovative telehealth applications. Read more.
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CMS Announces DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Round 1 2017
CMS announced plans to recompete the supplier contracts awarded in Round 1 Recompete of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics & Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program on April 21, 2015. The Round 1 Recompete contract period for all product categories expires on December 31, 2016. Round 1 2017 is being conducted in the same metropolitan statistical areas that were included in Round 1. Learn more about the Round 1 2017 timeline, product categories and zip codes from the Latest News & Announcements page on the program's website. CMS urges suppliers interested in bidding to prepare now!
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