2004 Reimbursement Updates
CMS Posts Proposed Rule for 2005 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System
The proposed rule was published in the August 16, 2004 Federal Register. Comments will be accepted until October 8, and a final rule is scheduled to be published by November 1, 2004.
To read the proposed and Final rule for 2005 OPPS please click here.
CMS Launches Council to Improve Timely Access to New Medical Technologies
On August 13, 2004, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mark B. McClellan, MD, PhD, announced a new effort to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries will have timely access to new medical treatments and technologies. The Council on Technology and Innovation - which will include senior level CMS leaders and experts on clinical, coverage and payment issues - will provide the Agency with improved methods for developing practical information about the clinical benefits of new medical technologies resulting in faster and more efficient coverage and payment of these medical technologies.
CMS Announces 2nd Biannual Meeting of the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) Groups for 2004
Senate Confirms Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., to Head CMS
On March 12, 2004, Dr. Mark B. McClellan was confirmed by the Senate to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. MDMA believes that Dr. McClellan’s background as both a physician and an economist make him uniquely suited to meet the challenges facing CMS. We have enjoyed working with Dr. McClellan as Commissioner of FDA and look forward to continuing a productive relationship with him at CMS.