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Medpac has advised Congress to raise hospital pay 3.3% but with caveats. Base pay would go up by 2% but quality penalties would be eliminated therefore increasing payments by 0.5%. They would change the structure to make it less rewarding to acquire physician groups as the differential between hospital outpatient and physician offices would be much less. There is not an increase for physicians.
HHS has released a final rule to take effect March 24 requiring prescriptions for narcotics to state how many pills dispensed when billing claims are filed.
New Jersey has passed a law preserving the pre-existing conditions and allowing children to stay on parent's insurance even if Ocare is deemed non-constitutional.
New Jersey has passed another law mandated all newborns be screened for spinal muscular atrophy.
The People's Republic of California has restored podiatry and, speech therapy hearing tests and devices and eyeglasses to Medicaid. It remains to be seen how many will be able to see a provider with their low rates of reimbursement. I may go on Medicaid since I do not get glasses, dental or hearing with Medicare. Top
DISCLAIMER: Although this article is updated periodically, it reflects the author's point of view at the
time of publication. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Readers
should consult with their own legal counsel before acting on any of the
information presented.