SHM Supports the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act
SHM joins the GME Advocacy Coalition response to the Senate Finance Committee’s draft proposal to expand GME.
SHM Joins Coalition in Commenting on Patient Status Appeals
SHM joined other members of the Observation Coalition in commenting on the proposed appeals process for patients who were admitted as an inpatient and retroactively designated under outpatient.
SHM Submits Comments on Proposed Observation Status Appeals Process
CMS has submitted comments regarding the proposed appeals process in which patients, under limited circumstances, can appeal a retroactive classification as an outpatient.
SHM and Other Stakeholders Support the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act
SHM and thirty three other organizations joined a multi-stakeholder effort in support of legislation that will count time spent in observation towards Medicare’s three day inpatient stay requirement for SNF coverage.
SHM Supports the Reintroduction of the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act
SHM supports the reintroduction of the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act. This legislation will make days spent in observation count towards Medicare’s three-day stay requirement for skilled nursing facility (SNF) coverage.
SHM Responds to CMS’ Request for Information on “Patients Over Paperwork” Initiative
SHM responded to CMS’ Request for Information (RFI) regarding their “Patients Over Paperwork” Initiative. We addressed excessive administrative burden related to observation care, the 96-hour rule, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, among other issues.
SHM Joins National Observation Stays Coalition in Submitting Comments on Surprise Billing to House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee
SHM joined the National Observation Stays Coalition and submitted comments to the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee following the hearing, “No More Surprises: Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills.” In particular, the coalition urged the committee to include observation reform in surprise billing legislation.
SHM Signs Coalition Letter Urging the House to Include Observation Reform in Surprise Billing Legislation
As the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee considers legislation to curb surprise billing, the National Observation Stays Coalition, which includes medical associations and patient advocacy groups, encouraged the committee to include observation reform within their surprise billing legislation.
SHM Submits Comments to Senate HELP Committee on Healthcare Costs
SHM submits comments to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee in response to their request for stakeholder suggestions to lower the overall cost of healthcare. Our suggestions to reduce costs include reforming observation, increasing APM pathways, and improving quality measures.
SHM Submits Comments to CMS on the Physician Fee Schedule for CY 2018
SHM submitted comments on this year’s fee schedule including evaluation and management guidelines, PQRS reporting, and MACRA.