government

Bipartisan bill would revamp Medicare cards

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 26, 2011

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

A group of lawmakers wants patients to use new Medicare insurance identification cards to help eliminate fraud and waste in the program.

A bipartisan bill introduced in the House and Senate would institute "smart card" technology for Medicare patients to use in doctors' offices and hospitals. The Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2011, introduced on Sept. 14, would establish over two phases the use of ID cards similar to those issued by the Defense Dept. The first phase would test the new cards during a pilot project in regions where there are high rates of health care fraud. HHS would expand the use of the cards a year later.

The patient's Social Security number would not be printed on the card. Physician practices would gain access to beneficiary information electronically.

The proposal is sponsored by Sens. Mark Kirk (R, Ill.), Ron Wyden (D, Ore.) and Marco Rubio (R, Fla.) and Reps. Jim Gerlach (R, Pa.), Earl Blumenauer (D, Ore.) and John Shimkus (R, Ill.).

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/09/26/gvbf0926.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn