Hospice Organization Seeks to Enjoin Medicare Payment Changes

On September 5, 2008, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization filed a legal action seeking to enjoin the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from implementing a portion of the Final Rule setting forth the Medicare hospice wage index for fiscal year 2009.

Congress Overrides Veto of Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers A...

On July 15, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate voted to override President Bush's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.

Senator Grassley Releases Summary of Medicare Legislative Package

On June 4, 2008, Charles Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued a Press Release and a summary of the physician and health care professional provisions that will be in a Senate Republican backed Medicare legislative package.

Medicare Trustees Issue 2008 Annual Report and Medicare Funding Warning

On March 25, 2008, the 2008 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Medicare Hospital Insurance and Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds was released, which raises concern about the financial outlook for the Medicare program.

MedPAC Releases Medicare Payment Policy Report for 2009

On February 29, 2008, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission released its Report to Congress: Medicare Payment Policy for 2009, which makes update and policy recommendations for Medicare fee-for-service payment systems for 2009.

Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors Identify $371.5 Million in Improper Payments

On February 28, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the Medicare recovery audit contractor (RAC) status document for fiscal year 2007 indicating that RACs in New York, California and Florida identified and corrected $371.5 million in improper payments.

CMS Releases National Health Expenditure Projections

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has prepared an analysis of projected national health care expenditures through 2017, which has been published in the journal Health Affairs. According to CMS, national health spending is expected to grow to 6.7 percent...

HHS Secretary Releases Medicare Funding Warning Response Act of 2008

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, recently released a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Medicare Funding Warning Response Act of 2008 to address the Medicare funding warning issued by the Medicare Board of Trustees.

HHS Releases Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program Annual Report for 2006

On February 12, 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice released the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program Annual Report for FY 2006.

Senators Introduce Medicare Fraud Prevention Act of 2008

On February 6, 2008, U.S. Senators Mel Martinez and John Cornyn introduced the Medicare Fraud Prevention Act of 2008, which would increase the maximum criminal sentence, double the civil penalties, and quadruple the criminal fines associated with certain Medicare violations.

President's Budget Proposes $178 Billion in Medicare Cuts

On February 4, 2008, the President delivered a $3.1 trillion budget proposal to Congress for fiscal year 2009. As widely reported, the budget includes $178 billion in Medicare program reductions over the next 5 years, and $556 billion in Medicare reductions over the next decade.

Medicare Proposes Coverage for Artificial Hearts

On February 1, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that it proposes coverage (with evidence development) for artificial heart devices in Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in Food and Drug Administration approved studies.

President's Budget to Seek Significant Medicare Cuts

The Washington Post reports that, under the President's FY 2009 budget, the growth of federal health care programs would be reduced by $208 billion over 5 years, with approximately $170 billion of that amount coming from the Medicare program.

Lower Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Costs Projected

On January 31, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Press Release announcing that the overall projected cost of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is $117 billion lower over the next 10 years than estimated last summer.