CMS Lowers Interest Rates
BALTIMORE (Oct. 28, 2013)—CMS recently announced a 0.5 percent decrease in the interest rate on Medicare overpayments and underpayments to 10.125 percent. Except for April 17 to July 16 of this year, this is the lowest rate since 2001. Interest on overpayments and underpayments accrues from the date of the initial request for refund and is assessed for each 30-day period, or portion thereof, that payment is delayed after the initial refund request.
2014 Annual Update and Release of Final HCPCS Coding Decision Letters
BALTIMORE (Nov. 1, 2013)—Although CMS is still assessing the impact of the partial government shutdown on completion of the CY 2014 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), CMS intends to publish the 2014 HCPCS Annual Update file on the HCPCS website on or before November 27, 2013. New HCPCS codes will be effective January 1, 2014, unless otherwise specified in the file.
Health Systems Merge DME Business Into Binson's Affiliate

DETROIT, Mich. (Oct. 20, 2013) As reported on Crain’s Detroit Business, two hospital-based health systems in Michigan and an affiliate of Center Line-based Binson's Home Health Centers have agreed to merge their operations into Hart Medical Equipment Co. to sell durable medical equipment to seniors after the systems failed earlier this year to win Medicare competitive bid contracts.

Medicare Procurement Program Creates Hardships for Patients

WASHINGTON (Oct. 24, 2013)—Only a few Medicare patients have reported problems related to the bidding program for home medical equipment that rolled out in 91 new areas on July 1, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Yet, more than 2,000 patients have called an organization, People for Quality Care, desperately seeking assistance for situations jeopardizing their health and quality of life.

CMS Payment Rules Notice

According to CMS, it is still assessing the impact of the partial government shutdown on completion of the calendar year 2014 Medicare fee for service payment regulations. CMS intends to issue the final rules on or before November 27, 2013, generally to be effective on January 1, 2014. The impacted regulations include:

Medicare Rights Center One of Five Federal Grantees

NEW YORK, N.Y. (Oct. 23, 2013)—The Medicare Rights Center is one of just five organizations across the country to receive a major national grant from the federal Administration for Community Living’s Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program. Through the 18-month grant, Medicare Rights will expand its Medicare Minute program, recently evaluated by a Columbia University-based team, to help people with Medicare across the country understand their rights and combat Medicare fraud.