WASHINGTON, DC – The shutdown is over and a budget crisis has been averted thanks to an agreement to extend federal borrowing power. Within the prism of the industry, the battle to replace competitive bidding with the market pricing program continues.
“No matter what happens, we are not backing off on getting new cosponsors for H.R. 1717,” wrote AAHomecare officials in a message to members. “Although there may be a short delay before new cosponsors are officially added, congressional staffers who have been deemed essential are still in their offices, as are all House and Senate members. If you have any questions, contact AAHomecare’s at [email protected] and (202) 372-0751.”
Medtrade Makes Waves
AAHomecare met with new, continuing, and future members at the recently completed Medtrade in Orlando. The show started off with a packed house at the Washington Update early Tuesday morning and continued through a successful Stand Up for Homecare reception that raised more than $60,000 and honored our 2013 Homecare Champions Scott Meuser and Shelly Prial (pictured).
Several new members joined AAHomecare at Medtrade, including:
• CompMed Services, Inc.–Pines, Fla;
• Pro Health Pharmacy Solutions Inc.–Maitland, Fla;
• Spring Branch Medical Supply–Houston, Texas;
• Sterling Distributors–Coral Springs, Fla;
• Summit Express Medical Supply–Kings Park, N.Y.; and
• United Health Systems–Davie, Fla.
CMS Contracts with Another Claim Reviewer
CMS recently announced that StrategicHealthSolutions has become a supplemental medical review/specialty contractor (SMRC) to “perform and/or provide support for a variety of tasks aimed at lowering the improper payment rates and increasing efficiencies of the medical review functions of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.”
One of the SMRC’s primary tasks will be conducting a nationwide medical review on Medicare Part A, Part B, and DME providers and suppliers. The SRMC will evaluate medical records and related documents to determine whether Medicare claims were billed in compliance with coverage, coding, payment, and billing practices. In accordance with Section 1833 of the Social Security Act, providers must supply documentation upon request.
The SRMC will notify CMS of any identified improper payments and noncompliance with documentation requests. The Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) may initiate claim adjustments and/or overpayment recoupment actions through the standard overpayment recovery process. For more information, contact AAHomecare’s Kim Brummett at (202) 372-0750.
