Tentative ‘Doc Fix’ Deal Would Cut Health Law’s Prevention Fund by $5B
After wrangling for weeks over how to finance a Medicare “doc fix,” House and Senate conferees have a plan. The proposal would cut Medicare payments to hospitals and other providers for “bad debt,” Medicare payments to clinical laboratories and Medicaid “disproportionate share” payments to hospitals that serve many poor patients, and divert $5 billion from the health law’s $15 […]
Updated at 8:50 a.m. Feb. 14. If it’s the middle of February, and it’s time for the yearly Washington ritual: A president proposes Medicare and Medicaid cuts, and then nursing homes and hospitals complain that those cuts will destroy the quality of care. Today was no different: President Barack Obama released his fiscal 2013 budget plan. Since many of the about […]
FAQ: The Obama Administration’s Compromise On Contraception Benefits
The Obama administration, stung by fierce opposition from Catholic leaders to a new rule requiring that insurance plans offer free contraception, announced revised regulations Friday. Kaiser Health News summarizes common questions and answers to explain the new policy.
Will We Get The Biggest Bang From Health Law’s Prevention Grants?
Backers of the health law’s provision of $15 billion for prevention efforts believe it has the potential to improve health and reduce costs. But some question the administration’s decision to sprinkle money for community programs among dozens of groups testing different approaches, rather than channeling it to proven programs. Ken Thorpe, who chairs the Department of Health Policy […]
Using War Savings For ‘Doc Fix’ Complicated By Congressional Rules
While hospitals, physicians and some members of Congress want to use war savings as a way to get rid of Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula, congressional rules could complicate things. Even if there’s enough support for the idea among Republicans — and it’s unclear there is, especially in the House — there’s the issue of “scope,” or what’s […]
Nursing Homes Offer Plan To Help Cut Medicare Spending
Much attention has been focused on a House-Senate conference committee’s efforts to find ways to finance an extension of the current payroll tax break and to prevent a 27 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians. But the nursing home industry is also facing some stiff funding reductions, and an industry trade group has come up with a proposal to […]
Majority Of Americans Think Ideology Will Affect High Court’s Ruling On Health Law
Six in 10 people think that the justices’ decision on the individual mandate will be based on their own ideological views rather than legal analysis.
Bishops Will Sue Feds Over Contraception Rule
The federal rules, which the Obama administration reaffirmed Friday, require health insurers to provide women with a range of preventive health services, including birth control, without charging a co-payment, co-insurance or deductible.
No Easy Fix For Medicare Doctors’ Pay
If you were hoping for a quick resolution of the Medicare physician payment issue, think again. The “doc fix” issue is part of a broader and more complicated debate: how to finance an extension of the current payroll tax cut for the rest of the year and federal benefits for the long-term unemployed. Both parties want to stop […]
HHS Calls Trustmark’s Rate Increases ‘Unreasonable’; Insurer Begs to Differ
The Department of Health and Human Services Thursday deemed a health insurer’s proposed premium increases in five states “unreasonable” and called on the company to rescind the rates, issue refunds or justify the increase. Trustmark Life Insurance Company proposed health insurance premium hikes of 13 percent for 10,000 residents in five states: Arizona, Alabama, Pennsylvania, […]
Wyden Joins Forces With Ryan On Medicare
Updated at 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 15. A new Medicare overhaul plan touted as a serious bipartisan approach was unveiled today, but it leaves out key details about how it would avoid raising seniors’ premiums. Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden is teaming up with Republican Rep. Paul Ryan on a Medicare overhaul plan that would give […]
Hospitals Clash With House Republicans On Medicare Cuts
Hospitals have come out swinging against payment cuts to their industry included in the House Republican plan to stop a scheduled Medicare physician payment cut next January. And the House GOP is swinging right back. As the House edges toward a vote Tuesday on legislation that would give physicians a two-year reprieve from a scheduled 27 […]
Care Management Showing Promise, Group Says
Care management programs, which combine information technology, patient-centered nursing and care coordination, have helped Alliance of Community Health Plan (AHCP) members cut costs and improve patient care, the group said in a report released Wednesday. For example, the Group Health Cooperative in Seattle has reported more than $2.5 million in cost savings during the first […]
Enrollment Still Growing In Medicare Advantage Plans, GAO Says
Predictions of the demise of Medicare’s private insurance plans are premature, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.
Tavenner To Replace Berwick At CMS Helm
President Barack Obama chose Marilyn Tavenner, a nurse and former hospital executive, to run the agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid.
Health Programs Facing Cutbacks After Super Committee’s Failure
It’s a mixed verdict, however. Medicaid will be spared, and the Medicare hit will be limited to providers. But other programs, from disease prevention to public health surveillance, face big automatic cuts in 2013.
Health Leaders Prepare For Round Two Of Cuts
No matter what the super committee does, health groups expect another debate on spending after the election and they want to redirect the talks to costs’ root causes.
Affluent Seniors Could Take A Hit On Medicare
Both Democrats and Republicans are eyeing proposals to require well-off Medicare beneficiaries to pay more for their coverage as the super committee looks for ways to hold down spending.
Romney’s Plan Would Fundamentally Change Medicare
Although the GOP presidential candidate is offering to let beneficiaries stay in the traditional fee-for-service program, critics say his plan could shift more cost to individuals.
Health Expert Urges States To Slow The Move To Medicaid Managed Care
As more states turn to managed care to reduce Medicaid costs, Judy Feder is urging caution. Feder, a professor at and former dean of the Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute , is worried that officials’ enthusiasm for managed care in Medicaid “might get out of hand,” and she is urging them to move slowly when […]
