Health and Human Services Research

Health and Human Services Regulatory News - September 5, 2008CMS confirmed on August 13 that the permanent, nationwide Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program will be phased in this fall. The nationwide RAC program builds on a RAC pilot program from March '05 through March '08.

Health and Human Services Regulatory News - August 22, 2008USDHHS announced proposed HIPAA rules on August 15 that would replace the ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure code sets with an ICD-10 system to provide better support to quality reporting, pay-for-performance, electronic health records, biosurveillance, and nationwide health information networks.

Health and Human Services Regulatory News - August 8, 2008Governor Patrick signed legislation on August 10 which raises another $100 million through additional assessments on providers, insurance companies, and other employers to fund the implementation of the Commonwealth's universal health care program.

Health and Human Services Regulatory News - August 8, 2008CMS has issued final rules on federal fiscal year '09 Medicare payments to acute care hospitals, nursing facilities, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Health and Human Services Regulatory News - August 1, 2008Senate efforts to advance a resolution blocking implementation of CMS's controversial Aug. 17, 2007 directive to States concerning eligibility for SCHIP were stymied this past week by a parliamentarian ruling that the deadline for such actions under the Congressional Review Act had passed.

Medicare Quality Reporting InitiativeCMS announced on July 11 that the recovery audit contractor (RAC) pilot program obtained net Medicare recoveries of $693.6 million through March 2008.

Recovery Audit ContractorsCMS announced on July 11 that the recovery audit contractor (RAC) pilot program obtained net Medicare recoveries of $693.6 million through March 2008.

Legislative UpdateThe U.S. House voted 383-41 and the Senate voted 70-26 on July 15 to override a veto of H.R. 6331.

Moratorium on CMS RegulationsThe moratorium bill (H.R. 2642) was signed into law on June 30 after winning bipartisan approval in the House (416-12) and Senate (92-6).

Bush Administration Delays Medicare Physician CutbackOn June 28, DHHS froze the current Medicare pricing system for doctors for 10 days to avoid the scheduled 10 percent cutback, since Congress adjourned for a midsummer break before taking further legislative action.