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President’s Proposed FY 2014 Budget LTPAC Impact
On April 10, 2013, President Obama released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2014, which the Administration believes takes critical steps to grow the economy, create jobs and strengthen the middle class. Read NASL’s Initial Analysis
April Update on MedPAC
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held its final meeting for this policy cycle last week. Key discussions of interest to NASL members include: an update on Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), bundling post-acute care services, Medicare hospice policy issues and coordinating care for beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. NASL sent a summary to members detailing key points made during MedPAC’s April meeting along with links to MedPAC materials.
Senate Holds Confirmation Hearing for CMS Administrator
After nearly 1.5 years as Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Marilyn Tavenner received strong bipartisan support for continuing as the permanent head of CMS during the April 9 confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. Tavenner's confirmation will likely be a smooth process – despite concerns about the news that CMS reversed course on the proposed 2014 Medicare Advantage rate cuts, which had leaked prior to the public announcement and caused insurance stocks to soar. Read more
CMS & OIG Propose Extending EHR Provisions
Both CMS and the OIG filed corresponding proposed rules late Monday that could extend EHR-related provisions set to expire on December 31, 2013. Both proposals from CMS and the OIG were published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2013, and involve provisions dealing with interoperable electronic health records, software or information. Read more
Summertime is Summit Time in Baltimore
Summer is a great time to explore the fastest-growing frontier in healthcare. Check out how long term and post-acute care (LTPAC) providers can meet seniors' needs and advance policies and initiatives that align with the National Healthcare Strategy at the annual LTPAC HIT Summit, which takes place June 17 & 18th in Baltimore, Maryland. A founding member of the LTPAC HIT Collaborative and Collaborating Partner for the conference, NASL invites you to join us. Read more
RAC Role In Therapy MMR
As NASL reported to members on March 22, CMS added a post to its therapy services webpage announcing that Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs – or RAs) would take over the manual medical review (MMR) of therapy claims over $3,700 as of April 1, 2013. In a subsequent meeting with NASL, CMS officials stated that the agency would soon post additional information documenting some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The FAQ has yet to be posted; however, NASL has compiled a list of resources that providers can access to locate more information about the RACs. Read more
DMEPOS Advocacy Gets Boost from Congress
NASL and others concerned about Round 2 of CMS’ DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program were buoyed to see another letter on its way from Capitol Hill to CMS asking for a delay in Round 2 and greater transparency. The letter to CMS Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner was sent from Representative Peter King (R-NY) and co-signed by 18 other members of the New York Congressional delegation – no doubt at the urging of constituents and industry leaders such as NASL Medical Products Committee Members who serve the New York metropolitan area. Read the letter from Representatives King, Maffei, Collins, Grimm, Hanna, Gibson, Maloney, Owens, Higgins, McCarthy, Bishop, Israel, Meng, Meeks, Maloney, Reed, Crowley, Clarke and Rangel. Also last month, Representatives Tom Price, MD (R-GA) and Bruce Braley (D-IA) initiated a sign-on letter expressing concern over the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program and the just announced Round 2 bid prices for durable medical equipment. This initial letter to CMS Acting Administrator Tavenner garnered signatures from 100 Members of Congress. Read the March 15 letter here.
IOM Geographic Variation Report Could Impact LTPAC Providers
The Institute of Medicine’s (IOM's) Interim Report of the Committee on Geographic Variation in Health Care Spending and Promotion of High-Value Health Care analysis states, “it appears that utilization of post-acute services is a key driver of HRR level variation in Medicare spending, with most of the remaining variation stemming from use of inpatient services.” Read more
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