What's in the proposed changes to Medicare?
While the plan includes scant details about the proposed Medicare changes, other efforts to expand the program coverage could offer some clues. A House bill introduced in July by Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, would include things such as dentures, preventive and emergency dental care, refractive eye exams and eyeglasses, and hearing aids and exams.
Could new hearing benefits be added to Medicare?
As we previously highlighted, Congress is considering adding new hearing benefits to Medicare. The current amended version of the Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives includes several hearing-related provisions that would impact Medicare patients and providers, if enacted.
What happens if Congress adds benefits to Medicare?
“If Congress adds [those] benefits, it would fill some major gaps in coverage that the program has had since its inception,” Lipschutz said. About 62.8 million individuals are enrolled in Medicare, the majority of whom are age 65 or older and rely on it as their primary health insurance.
Will Medicare changes take longer in the Senate?
While the House passed the Medicare changes as standalone legislation, the journey the changes will take in the Senate is a little trickier— which could be a good thing. (This is where staying awake in civics class pays off.)
What is the Medicare for All Act of 2021?
What are the provisions of the HHS bill?
About this website
What the House Passed
The Medicare-related legislation, doesn't do everything APTA and other organizations have asked for, but it comes close. Here's what's in the bill.
The Senate Path
While the House passed the Medicare changes as standalone legislation, the journey the changes will take in the Senate is a little trickier— which could be a good thing. (This is where staying awake in civics class pays off.)
No Guarantees
As with all machinations on Capitol Hill, there's never a sure bet. That's why we need to be ready to advocate for S.610. Stay tuned to APTA — by way of our website, member emails, social media, and the APTA Advocacy Network — for calls to action in the coming days.
When does the omnibus bill end?
The $1.4 trillion omnibus legislative package passed by Congress late Monday includes COVID-19 related relief for physicians, imposes new restrictions on surprise billing, and funds the government through fiscal 2021, which ends Sept. 30.
When will the sequester end?
The budget sequester moratorium was scheduled to end Dec. 31 but is now extended to March 31, 2021. Practices may also find relief in the expansion and extension of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act’s employee retention tax credits until June 30, 2021.
How long does it take for a physician to file an independent dispute resolution?
An increase in the time for a physician to pursue independent dispute resolution (IDR), from two to four days. Prohibition against considering public program rates like Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare during the IDR process. Elimination of problematic timely billing provisions.
What is the Medicare for All Act of 2021?
Medicare for All Act of 2021. This bill establish es a national health insurance program that is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Among other requirements, the program must (1) cover all U.S. residents; (2) provide for automatic enrollment of individuals upon birth or residency in the United States;
What are the provisions of the HHS bill?
The bill also establishes a series of implementing provisions relating to (1) health care provider participation; (2) HHS administration; and (3) payments and costs, including the requirement that HHS negotiate prices for prescription drugs.
