In Notice 2008-59, the Treasury and IRS have recently provided guidance related to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in the form of 42 frequently asked questions and corresponding answers related to HSAs. HSAs are medical savings accounts which are available to US taxpayers who are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan. The funds from HSAs
2008
Physician Self-Referral and Anti-Markup Issues
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
The proposed 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule also deals with proposed changes to the reassignment rules related to diagnostic tests, sometimes referred to as the Anti-Markup Provisions. The discussion of the proposed rules, which occupies pages 237 through 260 of the Federal Register publication, which pages are attached at the link below, discusses the …
Medicare 2009 IDTF Proposals
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
Medicare is proposing that all physician practices providing diagnostic testing must enroll as independent diagnostic testing facilities effective as of September 30, 2009. A copy of the comments on the proposal is attached.
This proposal would make physician practices subject to the performance standards for independent diagnostic testing facilities. This will …
Medicare Payment Update
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
White House continues to threaten veto of Medicare payments bill.
The AP (7/11) reports, "President Bush intends to block a bill protecting doctors from a cut in their Medicare pay, even though Congress has enough votes to override his veto, a White House spokesman indicated on Thursday." The President opposes "reduce[d] spending on private…
Senate Passes Medicare Physician Fee Savings Bill
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
The LA Times has reported that the senate passeds a medicare savings bill, but the President has threated a veto.
WASHINGTON — In a floor session electrified by the appearance of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the critically ill Massachusetts Democrat, the Senate voted Wednesday to stave off a cut in Medicare fees to doctors who
…
Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (HEART Act)
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Uncategorized
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS LAW ALERT
June 25, 2008
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY – NEW LAW PROVIDES NEW EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
PLAN RIGHTS TO MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY AND THEIR SURVIVORS
Effective immediately, a new federal law, called the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (HEART Act), requires action to be taken by sponsors of qualified retirement…
2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Issues
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
The Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services posted the proposed 2009 Medicare Fee Schedule Rule on July 7, 2008. The link to those rules was provided in an earlier Medlaw Blog post.
The proposals include numerous items, but I would like to highlight the following:
1. Proposed changes to the Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF
enrollment requirements; …
Wall Street Journal Update on Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
Congress
Clash on Preventing Cut to Doctor Payments
Centers on How to Pay for Medicare Bill
By ANNA WILDE MATHEWS
July 7, 2008
Before Congress took the July 4th week off, a partisan standoff in the Senate blocked a bill that would prevent a cut in doctors’ Medicare fees. When members return to Capitol Hill…
Proposed 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Rule Includes Stark,
Purchased Diagnostic Test and IDTF Changes and Clarifications
By Barry Alexander*
Purchased Diagnostic Test and IDTF Changes and Clarifications
By Barry Alexander*
On June 30, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted at the Office of Federal Register its Proposed 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule. The rule is scheduled to be published in the July…
Medicare Announces 10 Day Hold on Physician Medicare Payments
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
The Questions and Answers below apply to the recent decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services to hold for up to 10 business days claims paid under the Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) that contain July 2008 dates of service.
Q1. Will claims containing services paid under the MPFS be held that …