Part B News

Baucus: Permanent SGR fix ‘not really part of health reform'

by: Grant Huang Sep 16, 2009

The final ingredient of the health reform soup was unveiled this morning, in the form of the first official draft version of the Senate Finance Committee's reform bill. Here's the main takeaway: it's got a one-year, 0.5% patch to temporarily stall the 21% cut, but makes no mention of a permanent fix to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula used to determine your Medicare payments.

CMS collects $39 million in tax levies from providers

by: CHARLES FIEGL Sep 14, 2009

As a follow-up to my story on the Federal Payment Levy Program, CMS and the IRS have collected more than $39 million from Medicare providers since the start of the levy program on Oct. 1, 2008, CMS says. The Medicare agency could not provide numbers showing how many providers have been affected, but it's fair to say it's a lot.

What Obama's health reform speech said about Medicare

by: Grant Huang Sep 11, 2009

President Obama's nearly hour-long speech, delivered Wednesday night before a rare joint session of Congress, was his most vigorous defense of health reform as he blasted critics for distorting the facts and sowing fear. But what did he say about Medicare, and what details did he deliver on the specifics for reform?

Cole's paper on pandemic response

by: CHARLES FIEGL Sep 10, 2009

Ron Cole kindly sent his research on responding to a pandemic emergency to Part B News - and, we've posted it here in our hot documents library. He mentions that his article relates to the Bird Flu and not the Swine Flu. However, the clinical preparations are applicable for both strains.

On page 38, you'll notice a sample practice disaster policy.

Swine flu preparations may take on fever pitch

by: SCOTT KRAFT Sep 10, 2009

Swine flu preparations continue as fall approaches.

Login

User Name:
Password:
Remember me Forgot password
Welcome to the new Part B News Online. If you are a returning user having trouble logging in, please click here.

Your new password should have at least 6 characters.
Current Password
New Password
Confirm Password