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SPECIAL ALERT: Senate sends amended payment freeze bill back to House
Earlier yesterday afternoon, the Senate passed an amended version of H.R. 4851, the Continuing Extension Act of 2010 by a vote of 59 – 38. The bill freezes Medicare physician payments at the current level through May 31. Because the Senate failed to pass identical legislation addressing the extension of the Medicare physician payment freeze by last night, Medicare contractors may begin processing held claims today with the 21.3 percent cut in place. Since the Senate version of this extenders legislation is different than the version passed by the House on March 17, the House must also pass this bill before sending it to the president for his signature. The House Rules Committee has already approved a rule allowing for swift consideration of this amended version of H.R. 4851. The House is expected to act on this bill later this evening.
In addition, the legislation contains a provision that would modify the definition of “hospital-based physician” in order to expand the number of professionals eligible to receive incentive payments under the federal electronic health record incentive program. The bill amends the definition by striking ‘‘setting (whether inpatient or outpatient)’’ and inserting ‘‘inpatient or emergency room.” MGMA has advocated for this change with legislators and the administration.
Members will receive notice of final action on this legislation and any further announcements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding reprocessing of claims via the Washington Connexion.
