Federal Watch
June 29th, 2012
AGS is tracking developments of interest to geriatrics health professionals in order to provide weekly updates for our readers via our List Serv, americangeriatrics.org, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed. This week, we update you on an upcoming CMS National Provider Call on the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Advance Payment Model, and share AGS’s recent comment letter to HHS on the Hospital IPPS Rule for FY 2013 rates. In a separate story, we provide you with an analysis of the historic Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act. Finally, we encourage you to take action by contacting your legislators, and urging them to fully address and put an end to the flawed SGR formula.
Affordable Care Act Enables 5.2 Million People with Medicare to Save $3.7 Billion on Prescription Drugs
As a result of the Affordable Care Act, more than 5,254,000 older adults and people with disabilities have saved a total of $3.7 billion on prescription drugs since the law was enacted. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also released data showing that in the first five months of 2012, 745,000 people with Medicare saved a total of $485.3 million on prescription drugs in “donut hole” coverage gap for an average of $651 in savings this year. These savings are automatically applied to prescription drugs that people with Medicare purchase, after they hit the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap or “donut hole.” Thus far in 2012, Medicare coverage for generic drugs in the coverage gap has increased to 14 percent. Coverage for both brand name and generic drugs in the gap will continue to increase over time until 2020, when the gap will cease to exist. For more information please click here. For State-by-State information on the amount of savings people have received in the donut hole, visit: https://www.cms.gov/Plan-Payment.
REMINDER
National Provider Call: Medicare Shared Savings Program and Advance Payment Model Application Process — Monday, July 16; 1:30-3 pm ET
Last fall, CMS issued a final rule under the Affordable Care Act to establish the Medicare Shared Savings Program, along with a notice for the Advance Payment Model that will provide additional support to physician-led and rural Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) participating in the Shared Savings Program. These two initiatives will help providers participate in ACOs to improve quality of care for Medicare patients. On Monday, July 16, 2012, CMS will host a National Provider Call, where subject matter experts will provide an overview and updates to the Shared Savings Program application and Advance Payment Model application processes for the January 1, 2013 Shared Savings Program start date. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. The Shared Savings Program Application and the Advance Payment Model web pages have important information, dates, and materials on the application process. Call participants are encouraged to review the applications and materials prior to the call. Registration Information: In order to receive call-in information, you must register for the call on the CMS Upcoming National Provider Calls web page.
What We Did This Week
AGS submitted comments to the Administration on several important aspects of the Proposed Rule for Hospital Inpatient Prospective Systems for Acute Care Hospitals. In our letter, we urge CMS to increase the funding and residency slots available for graduate medical education while also reforming the current fee-for-service reimbursement system to reward quality and efficiency. To view our letter, please click here.
How You Can Help
AGS encourages you to Take Action by visiting AGS’ Health in Aging Advocacy Center. Contact your members of Congress today, and urge them to call for both the repeal of the SGR and comprehensive Medicare payment and delivery reform. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Susie Sherman, Senior Coordinator of Public Affairs & Advocacy, ssherman@americangeriatrics.org.
Modified On: June 29th, 2012
