Senate has new deadline to avoid doctorsf Medicare cuts
By Associated Press
April 1 at 4:56 PM - The Washington Post
WASHINGTON — Congress will get a little extra time to prevent a threatened 21
percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors.
Technically, the cut was to take effect Wednesday.
But the Department of Health and Human Services said it will hold off
processing claims at the lower rate until April 15.
The House has overwhelmingly passed a bill to repeal the 1990s budget formula
that requires the Medicare cuts. But the Senate left on its spring break before
taking action. President Barack Obama says he would sign the House bill.
The Senate goes back into session on April 13, giving it just two days to
act.
If Medicare is forced to pay doctors at the lower rate, it would cover the
difference later, assuming Congress acts.
But that could raise administrative costs.
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