HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has issued a letter to governors and independent insurance commissioners to gauge interest in the temporary high risk pool program established by the PPACA to provide coverage to people who are uninsured because of pre-existing conditions. CMS also has issued initial guidance to states on the new state option under the PPACA to provide Medicaid coverage for the lowest income adults without regard to disability, parental status, or most other categorical limitations. Likewise, CMS has issued a number of informal announcements about implementation of various PPACA provisions, including announcements addressing:

  • The Extension of Ambulance Add-Ons for Ambulance Services
  • Timely Filing Requirements for Medicare Fee-for-Service Claims
  • Medicare Home Health Rural Add-On
  • Extension of Moratorium that Allows Independent Laboratories to Bill for the Technical Component of Physician Pathology Services Furnished to Hospital Patients
  • Extension of Therapy Cap Exceptions Process
  • Continuation of Payments to Indian Health Service Providers, Suppliers, Physicians, and other Practitioners for Certain Part B Services
  • Extension of the Outpatient Hold-Harmless Provision
  • Extension of Reasonable Cost Payment for Clinical Lab Tests Performed by Hospitals with Fewer than 50 Beds in Qualified Rural Areas