HBMA Addresses CMS and Congress

Last week, I traveled with members of HBMA’s government relations committee to support the association’s continuing advocacy outreach and partnership with CMS. Through a day-long session, we met with key CMS program directors to address the regulatory Issues facing the business of medical billing, while sharing the results and findings from our annual Provider Satisfaction Survey.

During the forum, the Office of E-Health Standards and Services reviewed with us the current testing status by the Medicare Contractors for 5010. As there are no current plans to push the implementation date back, we shared our concern for readiness among industry stakeholders.

Other topics included discussions on the Medicare Learning Network; Accountable Care Organizations; a shared savings program mandated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Medicare and Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor programs; the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System; as well as Medicare Fee for Service Claims Administration Contractor Operations.

Valerie Haugen, Director, Division of Provider Information Planning & Development, Provider Communications Group, CMS provided a strong testimony to the members of HBMA: “The Healthcare Billing & Management Association has been exceedingly helpful in spreading the word about CMS’ Medicare Learning Network^® (MLN) and its inventory of provider education products. Members of HBMA have provided us with pertinent feedback on our products and ways in which we can continue to improve our service to the Medicare Fee-For-Service provider community. We value the working relationship that exists between the MLN and HBMA.”

 

After the meeting in Baltimore on Monday, we traveled to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to present to more than 30 members of Congress on behalf of the HBMA membership. In addition to other ongoing issues within healthcare reform, we focused on two issues of significance to HBMA members: the three percent IRS withholding on payments in excess of $10,000 and the urgent need for a long-term fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate.

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