Medicare Monitor
The Palm Beach Post's veteran Washington correspondent, Larry Lipman, tracks policy makers and interest groups who are shaping the future of the federal health insurance program for the elderly.Medicare Web Resources
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Medicare is the federal health care system that covers about 36 million people age 65 and older, plus 7 million disabled. It has four parts:
Financed by a 2.9 percent payroll tax divided equally between employees and employers.
Financed by beneficiary premiums and federal general revenue. Current monthly premiums are $93.50. Starting this year, individuals whose taxable income is more than $80,000 will pay a higher premium.
Financed by Medicare and beneficiary premiums, which vary among plans.
The plans are private and financed by Medicare and beneficiary premiums, which vary among plans.
-- Larry Lipman
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All the entries posted on April 30, 2008.
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Home > Medicare Monitor > Archives > 2008 > April > 30
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Competitive bid program to get congressional look
Medicare’s competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment will be questioned at a House Ways and Means health subcommittee hearing next week.
Medicare officials have touted the program as a major way to save money and reduce fraud in sale and rental of equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies. According to Medicare officials, the first round of bids resulted in a roughly one-quarter drop in the price of equipment.
Equipment dealers have argued that the bid process was flawed and that it will put many longtime small dealers out of business because they will be shut out of the program.
“We have heard from both suppliers and beneficiary advocates that the DMEPOS competitive bidding program is not working as well as it is supposed to,” Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., the panel’s chairman, said in a statement. “I look forward to hearing their concerns, as well as from CMS, as we consider whether changes need to be made before the program is further expanded.”