House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Releases Bill Addressing Medicare Fraud and Abuse

On December 2^nd the U.S. House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced the Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act (PIMA) of 2014.

On December 2^nd the U.S. House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced the Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act (PIMA) of 2014.  The legislation would, among other things

• Expand who can document the face-to-face encounter required for Medicare durable medical equipment prescriptions to include nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as allowed by state law;
• Requires each home health agency to obtain a surety bond in the amount of no less than $50,000 as a condition of participation in the Medicare program.

Please click here to view the summary discussion draft.