Congress Passes Medicare Payment Bill and Legislation Exempting DCs from Onerous Red Flags Rule

Both measures expected to receive quick White House approval

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill that would pay for a one-year extension of Medicare physician payment rates. The measure would extend through 2011 current reimbursement rates for physicians, including DCs, who see Medicare patients — blocking a scheduled 25 percent cut on Jan. 1, 2011.  The Senate passed the measure on Wednesday, so it now goes to the president, where his signature is likely.

ACA would like to thank our members who sent over 10,000 messages to Congress on this very important matter throughout the past year.  Your grassroots efforts were integral in ensuring that the reimbursement rates did not fall victim to drastic cuts.  Be assured that ACA will continue to work with Congress to develop a long-term solution to the fee schedule problems.

Regarding the Red Flags Rule, this federal program requires creditors and certain businesses to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs to help identify, detect and respond to patterns, practices or specific activities that could indicate identity theft.  The applicability of the rule to health care providers has been debated since its inception over a year ago.  On Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010, the Senate passed legislation (S. 3987) that clarifies the definition of a creditor and in effect would exempt health care providers from the Red Flags Rule.  On Dec. 7, 2010, the House of Representatives passed S. 3987 and sent the bill to President Obama.  The President is expected to sign the bill before the Red Flags Rule goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2011.

ACA was part of a 28-member coalition supporting congressional action on this issue.  Given this recent turn, it is clear that the work of ACA and other health care organizations was instrumental in removing this additional administrative burden for doctors of chiropractic.

 

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