GAO Report Echoes Home Care Industry

Washington

For the first time in recent history, a federal budget-watching office took the proverbial words out of the home care industry's mouth. In an August report, the U.S. General Accounting Office said “Medicare might not be paying home care agencies enough for some non-routine medical supplies,” such as wound care dressings and catheters. “Although Medicare's home health payment includes the average costs of non-routine medical supplies, adjusted payments may not reflect variation in supply costs across types of patients,” the GAO said, recommending that CMS investigate the possible underpayments.

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