6331 Bill Passed with Provisions for Telehealth

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   H.R. 6331 Bill Passes, Includes Provisions for Telehealth
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6331: Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 on June 24, 2008. This bill amends titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to extend expiring provisions under the Medicare Program, to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, to enhance low-income benefit programs and to maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access, and for other purposes.
Presently, Medicare payments are scheduled to decrease by 10.6 percent but this bill will increase spending on physician services to keep payment consistent with the growth of the national economy.
According to the American Telemedicine Association:
“This bill contains provisions adding skilled nursing facilities, hospital-based dialysis centers, and community mental health centers as originating sites for Medicare telehealth reimbursement.”
Skilled nursing and hospital-based dialysis provisions are in the compromise bill although the community mental health centers provision has yet to be confirmed.
The origional article from ATA can be found here.

Edited by Chad Thoreson - 14 July 2008 at 1:18pm

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Chad Thoreson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Admin Chad Joined: 29 April 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Quote Reply Topic: 6331 Bill Passed with Provisions for Telehealth Posted: 02 July 2008 at 12:53pm
	H.R. 6331 Bill Passes, Includes Provisions for Telehealth The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6331: Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 on June 24, 2008. This bill amends titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to extend expiring provisions under the Medicare Program, to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, to enhance low-income benefit programs and to maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access, and for other purposes. Presently, Medicare payments are scheduled to decrease by 10.6 percent but this bill will increase spending on physician services to keep payment consistent with the growth of the national economy. According to the American Telemedicine Association: “This bill contains provisions adding skilled nursing facilities, hospital-based dialysis centers, and community mental health centers as originating sites for Medicare telehealth reimbursement.” Skilled nursing and hospital-based dialysis provisions are in the compromise bill although the community mental health centers provision has yet to be confirmed. The origional article from ATA can be found here. Edited by Chad Thoreson - 14 July 2008 at 1:18pm