CMS has issued guidance to state survey agencies explaining adjustments CMS is making to survey and certification operations to "accommodate sequestration with as little impact on the public as possible." The guidance discusses revisions in the frequency and timelines for various surveys and other survey changes in light of a 5% reduction to the FY
Budget Control Act
President Signs Government Funding Bill Maintaining FY 2013 Medicare Sequestration Cuts
By Debra A. McCurdy on
On March 26, 2013, President Obama signed into law H.R. 933, a continuing resolution that averts a government shutdown by funding the government through the remainder of fiscal year 2013 (through September 30, 2013). The funding bill is subject to the sequestration order triggered by the Budget Control Act, although funding was increased for…
Medicare and Sequestration – What Happens Now?
By Debra A. McCurdy on
Due to continuing budget gridlock in Washington, sequestration has been triggered – meaning automatic cuts to a wide range of federal programs, including Medicare payments to providers and health plans. While the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has not yet announced detailed plans for implementing the sequester requirements for its programs, this Alert answers…
Fiscal Cliff Deal Includes Medicare Cuts and Other Health Policy Changes
By Debra A. McCurdy on
On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed into law (via autopen) the “fiscal cliff” deal, H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA). In addition to making well-publicized changes to the tax code, the new law includes numerous Medicare payment provisions. Most notably, the law includes a one-year Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) fix that is paid for by approximately $30 billion in other health care (mainly Medicare) spending reductions over 10 years. ATRA also delays until March 2013 the automatic, across-the-board “sequestration” cuts in federal spending imposed by the Budget Control Act of 2011, which are expected to reduce Medicare provider payments by more than $11 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2013 and $123 billion over the period of FY 2013 to 2021. The delay in sequestration, coupled with the government again reaching its debt ceiling, sets up another near-term battle on federal spending, during which Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care programs could be targeted for even more significant cuts.
The health provisions of ATRA are summarized in our client alert.
Continue Reading Fiscal Cliff Deal Includes Medicare Cuts and Other Health Policy Changes
Congress Clears Short-Term Government Funding Bill
By Debra A. McCurdy on
The House and Senate have approved a temporary spending bill (H.J.Res. 117) to prevent a federal government shutdown in light of Congress’ failure to reach agreement on the regular appropriations bills before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2012. The short-term measure funds the government until March 27, 2013, generally at spending…
Budget Sequestration (“Fiscal Cliff”) to Cost Medicare Providers $11 Billion in FY 2013, White House Reports
By Debra A. McCurdy on
Medicare providers are facing $11.085 billion in automatic, across-the-board cuts for fiscal year (FY) 2013 under the terms of last year’s political compromise regarding the debt ceiling. Pursuant to this legislation, known as the Budget Control Act (BCA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a report on September 14, 2012 detailing the spending cuts, known as sequestration, that will be triggered under the BCA. The cuts will go into effect on January 2, 2013 unless Congress and the Administration reach agreement on an alternative budget deal that supersedes the BCA – action that is unlikely to be considered until after the November elections and possibly not until 2013.
Continue Reading Budget Sequestration (“Fiscal Cliff”) to Cost Medicare Providers $11 Billion in FY 2013, White House Reports
Jumping Off The ‘Fiscal Cliff’? What Can Happen When Congress Returns?
By Christopher L. Rissetto on
With all attention now focused on the campaign for control of Congress and the Presidency, it might be easy to forget that the 112th Congress is still in session and returns to work in September. When Congress does return, a number of important decisions affecting health care and energy policy, among other areas, remain to be considered.
Continue Reading Jumping Off The ‘Fiscal Cliff’? What Can Happen When Congress Returns?