| nabh_policy_defense_fund.pdf |
| final_timeline_from_white_house.pdf |
IACS Registration Form Information
Don't forget to complete your "Individuals Authorized Access to the CMS Computer Services (IACS)" form. Providers must register to receive their Provider and Statistical Reimbursement Report. To access the IACS FAQ form, please click here. A quick reference registration guide can be found here.
Amendment to Establish Physician Payment Fix and Therapy Caps Fix Offered in Senate
On Monday, March 1st, Senator Baucus and Grassley offered an amendment to the Senate jobs bill to address therapy caps and physician payments. If passed, this amendment would establish a temporary Medicare physician payment fix which will expire on October 1, 2010. In addition, the amendment extends the therapy caps fix to December 31, 2010.
The full text of the amendment can be found below. Please note that the physician payment fix can be found on page 268 and the physician payment fix on page 52.
The full text of the amendment can be found below. Please note that the physician payment fix can be found on page 268 and the physician payment fix on page 52.
| baucus_grassley_amendment.pdf |
AHP Consulting Group Releases Analysis of MHPAEA Regulations
Last week, AHP Consulting Group released a white paper that provides a preliminary analysis on the regulations and operational/strategic implications for plans, payers, and providers that will result from the implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Equity Act (MHPAEA). As has been previously relayed to NABH members, an interim final rule has been released on the MHPAEA and is now open for public comment. Below you will find a copy of the white paper for your information. NABH member feedback on the Interim Final Rule would be greatly appreciated as we begin working on a response during the 90 day comment period.
| ahp_analysis_of_mhpaea_interim_final_rule.pdf |
NABH Submits Comments to CMS on Physician Supervision Requirements
The final week of 2009 was one of opportunity for NABH and you as a member. NABH submittedcomments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the issue of physician supervision requirements in CMHCs. As you will recall, in the Changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates Rule(OPPS final rule) issued by CMS in October, CMS noted that while CMHCs have been permitted to provide PHP services under general supervision, the OPPS has, since 2000, held a standard of direct supervision for hospital outpatient therapeutic services, including PHP services. To view the full comment letter sent to CMS by the NABH, please download the PDF seen below.
| nabh_comment_letter.pdf |
NABH Introduces Legislation in the House
On Monday, December 14th, the National Association for Behavioral Health introduced the Outpatient Mental Health Modernization Act of 2009 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The NABH has worked tirelessly this past year to address continued payment cuts by CMS to PHP providers. This bill would create a payment floor of 2009 levels and make meals and transportation a billable allowance. We look forward to updating you on our progress with this legislation over the coming months. To view the full text of the House companion bill, please download the document below.
| house_-_nabh_legislation.pdf |
Health Care Reform Legislation
Senator Harry Reid released the final Senate version of the health care reform bill. Over the past several months, two other versions passed out of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. Reid has now completed the arduous task of combining these bills into one final version which will be debated on for eight hours tomorrow. The Congressional Budget Office scored the bill and expects that it will cost $848 billion over the next 10 years. This figure would reduce projected budget deficits by $109 billion because of several offsets provided by new taxes and fees as well as reductions in the growth of Medicare. The NABH is currently reviewing the more than 2,000 page bill and will update members on any new provisions that would affect the behavioral health community.
There are a number of notable differences between the final Senate version and the House version that passed two weeks ago. While the Senate bill does require Americans to obtain health insurance, there are less stringent penalties for those who do not. In addition, the legislation would increase the Medicare payroll tax on high-income individuals and impose an excise tax on high-cost health plans that are provided to employees. Insurance exchanges would not go into effect until 2014 - a year later than the House version - to reduce costs of the bill. The plan is expected to cover 36 million additional Americans; however, the CBO projects that 18 million would still be uninsured by 2019.
A summary on the Senate reform bill as well an amendment tracker can be found below:
There are a number of notable differences between the final Senate version and the House version that passed two weeks ago. While the Senate bill does require Americans to obtain health insurance, there are less stringent penalties for those who do not. In addition, the legislation would increase the Medicare payroll tax on high-income individuals and impose an excise tax on high-cost health plans that are provided to employees. Insurance exchanges would not go into effect until 2014 - a year later than the House version - to reduce costs of the bill. The plan is expected to cover 36 million additional Americans; however, the CBO projects that 18 million would still be uninsured by 2019.
A summary on the Senate reform bill as well an amendment tracker can be found below:
| long_summary.pdf |
| senate_hcr_amendment_tracker.pdf |
OIS Releases FY2010 Workplan
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its Office of Inspector General Work Plan for 2010. The document provides an in-depth description of prospective programs and operations within HHS for the following year.
| OIS FY2010 Work Plan |
| oig_work_plan_summary.doc |
CMS Town Hall on MAC/RAC Reforms
On October 29th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services held a Medicare Provider Feedback Group town hall meeting to disseminate information regarding Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) and Medicare Fee-for-Service Contracting Reform. If you were unable to join us on the call, please see below for a transcript of the town hall as well as a summary.
| cms_town_hall_summary_-_october_29_2009.doc |
| CMS Town Hall Transcript |
| nabh_comment_letter.pdf |
