After a lengthy process and debate, the Senate finally passed its health care reform bill on December 24. The House and Senate will next meet in conference in January to begin to meld the two chambers' versions together. Especially important for practitioners, both bills include our 5% Medicare psychotherapy restoration extension, as has each bill considered in committees of jurisdiction in both chambers. F ...

Busy month for Medicare/Medicaid related news. The American Psychological Association (APA) released a new action alert in regard to a delayed Sustainable Growth Rate cut with a request for clinicians to contact their Congress person. Check the end of the report for a link to contact your representative as well as a suggested letter. Previous important updates this month include 2010 Medicare Payment Change ...

Dollar-for-dollar changes in commonly billed psychology services were recently detailed in "2010 Medicare Payment Changes: Questions and Answers." Today, the American Psychological Association Practice Organization (APAPO) released an urgent message regarding a further update to the 2010 Medicare fee schedules. All practitioners are encouraged to keep up with these changes since Medicare fee schedule change ...

The recent Medicare reimbursement articles have been highly accessed articles here at BMED Report. Please review Jeff Cock's latest informational update that answers common questions surrounding the 2010 medicare payment changes that will go into effect in 2010. Jeff Cook writes: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its final rule on the 2010 fee schedule. The rule includes ...

Dr. Cherly Hall, Texas Psychological Association (TPA) Board Trustee, released an important message that asks psychologists to contact their Representative and request passage of H.R. 3961. This bill prevents sizable scheduled cuts to provider payments. Dr. Hall points out that changes in Medicare not only affect Medicare providers, but also private pay insurance collections. The original announcement is po ...

The American Psychological Association (APA) Practice Organization issued an Action Alert that calls for psychologists to pressure Congress during August recess. I have obtained the letter sent to members and received permission to republish the announcement in its entirety. Please check the end of this review to download the entire announcement complete with the exact steps psychologists should take along ...

On Friday, three key House committees, the Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees, released their joint draft of health care reform legislation, which includes Medicare provisions. I [Jeff Cook, J.D.] am pleased to inform you that the committees have included psychology's top Medicare priority - a two-year extension of the 5% psychology payment restoration previously passed ...