Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

The following House bills were introduced:

H.R. 1539. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to the hospital ownership exception to physician self-referral restrictions to interests purchased on terms generally available to the public. Introduced April 1 by Rep. Jerry Kleczka (D-WI), referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 1568. A bill to amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a prescription drug benefit with a high deductible at no additional premium and access to discount prices on drugs and to provide for the operation of such benefit without a deductible for certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Introduced April 2 by Rep. Cal Dooley (D-CA), referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 1580. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for national standardized payment amounts for inpatient hospital services furnished under the Medicare program. Introduced April 3 by Rep. Phil English (R-PA), referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 1622. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act and otherwise revise the Medicare program to reform the method of paying for covered drugs, drug administration services, and chemotherapy support services. Introduced April 3 by Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-GA), referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 1635. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a complete transition period for the reduction of Medicare beneficiary copayment for hospital outpatient department services furnished under the Medicare program. Introduced April 3 by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means. The following Senate bill was introduced:

S. 778. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare beneficiaries with a drug discount card that ensures access to affordable prescription drugs. Introduced April 3 by Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), referred to the Committee on Finance.