House representatives send a message to CMS: Stop red tape for Medicare providers
United States House members Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Peter Roskam (R-Illinois) draſted a series of letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. At first glance, the contents of their correspondence appear complimentary. The officials congratulated CMS Administrator Seema Verma and her organization’s recent efforts to curb regulations burdening hospitals, physicians, long-term care and skilled nursing facilities.
The announcement comes on the heels of a committee report outlining the many problems clogging up our decades-old system. These bureaucratic hindrances not only affect administrators and staff, but are also a huge detriment to beneficiaries. By freeing up precious time and resources and devoting them to residents, we all stand to benefit.
In particular, the letters mention ways CMS can alleviate needless mandates in three distinct settings: hospitals, doctors’ offices, and skilled-nursing facilities. The segmented approach echoes an initiative spearheaded by Congress earlier this year.
Insiders Agree: It’s Good News
Following the representatives’ reach out to CMS, advocates across the skilled nursing industry and greater care community responded positively. Citing confusing policies, complex billing, time-consuming documentation and other tedious regulation, spokespeople praised efforts put forth by the Congressmen.
“Encouraging CMS to update current standards relating to medication exclusions to be consistent with today’s patient needs is both good public policy and most importantly good for patient care,” says Cliſton Porter of The American Health Care Association.
His sentiments are well known to SRX readers, as we’ve reported on similar red tape in the past. Brady and Roskam also broached the subject, reminding Verma, “We urge CMS to take steps to streamline consolidated billing processing and clarify policies to reduce lost time on paperwork when such resources could instead be diverted to patient care.