Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility Developments
The 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Regulations include two provisions regarding Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities. 42 CFR §410.33 has been supplemented with two additional subsections.
First, Section (16) states all entities that provide diagnostic imaging services to Medicare beneficiaries will be required to enroll as IDTFs regardless…
The revised Anti-Markup Final Rules were published by CMS on November 19, 2008 in the Federal Register, as part of the Medicare 2009 Physician Fee Schedule. The entire text of the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and the related rules, i.e. Anti-Markup, Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility, physician referral issues, etc. were posted by the Med …
Dr. Poliner has petitioned the United States Supreme Court to review the Fifth Circuit decision dismissing his claims against Texas Health Systems based upon immunity under the Health Care Quality Improvement Act. Dr. Poliner is arguing that the Fifth Circuit in particular and courts in general have gone too far in granting immunity under the "objective…
CMS published the final rule containing the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2009 on November 19, 2008. Included in the final rule are:
1. Confirmation of the 1.1% Physician Fee Schedule increase for 2009.
2. Designated Health Service list for 2009 for Stark/Physician Self-Referral purposes.
3. Final performance standards for Independent Diagnostic Testing …
Modern Healthcare (10/31, Lubell) reports, "Physicians will receive a 1.1 percent increase to their Medicare payments in 2009 under a final rule issued by" the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). This "update reflects a provision included in the…
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an electronic system for screening
Visa Waiver Program passengers before they begin travel to the United States without a visa. It is anticipated that ESTA will become mandatory for Visa Waiver Program travelers on January 12, 2009.
www.medlawblog.com/uploads/file/Visa waiver – passport reqts.pdf
Lisa Ventresca
There has been some consternation whether the FTC Red Flag rules applied to medical practices as creditors. Organized medicine has been seeking clarification. which has not been forthcoming. Fortunately, this 6 month delay should allow somtime to review this issue.
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Advisory Opinion 08-16, the text of which is linked below, involved a nonprofit hospital’s Pay for Performance (P4P) program with a commercial insurer and certain physicians on the hospital’s medical staff. Under the P4P program, the insurer pays the hospital bonus compensation calculated as percentage of the annual base compensation it otherwise pays to the …
The Pennsylvania legislature has enacted the attached law, called the "Prohibition of Excessive Overtime in Health Care Act," that is expected to be signed by Governor Rendell. The law prohibits hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and long-term care providers from requiring nurses and other clinical-care workers to work overtime. This ban excludes doctors, physician assistants, and…
On October 6, 2008 CMS announced its intent to aggressively enhance its efforts to find and prevent waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare. In particular, CMS indicated that it intends to work directly with beneficiaries to insure that they are properly receiving the durable medical equipment and home health services for which Medicare was billed and…
