Orthotics/Prosthetics

As if dealing with documentation requirements and independent bounty hunters masquerading as auditors were not enough, CMS recently announced that they will move forward with Phase 2 of the Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) program, creating more headaches for those filing orthotic and prosthetic claims for Medicare patients. Beginning May 1, 2013, CMS will deny durable medical equipment, orthotic and prosthetic supplies (DMEPOS), Part B, and Part A home hea...

Now that the election is over and the lame duck Congress has been convened, you would expect a flurry of activity since Congress had basically checked out in August to be home campaigning, right? Well, several weeks into the lame duck session and we really have had no substantial legislation taken up by either the House or Senate. Instead, the President, congressional Republicans and Democrats have been negotiating in public for the extension of the Bush tax cuts and avoiding the “fiscal cliff,” a $1.2 trillion budget cut created as part of the deal cut last year to raise the debt ceiling. 

The President released his plan to avoid the fiscal cliff, calling for $1.6 trillion in new tax revenue, reached primarily by allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire for the top two tax brackets; a permanent extension of the nation’s debt ceiling and an additional $600 billion in spending cuts that were not specifically identified. Congressional Republicans called the proposal “laughable” and claimed the President was over-interpreting his mandate after winning reelection. 

The 2012 presidential election has shifted into high gear with the naming of Congressman Paul Ryan as the Republican vice presidential nominee and both national party conventions officially selecting their presidential candidates. Congressman Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin and currently Chairman of the House Budget Committee, is seen as one of the leaders of the Republican Party on budget issues. He has seen his budget plan, which includes large scale entitlement reform, pass the House of Representatives each of the past 2 years. Congressman Ryan’s selection as vice president virtually ensures that Medicare and Medicaid, and entitlement reform in general, will have a prominent role in the election this fall.

With less than 100 days until the presidential election, the Obama and Romney campaigns have been busy pummeling each other for the past several months. There is no end in sight. Both sides see an advantage in tearing down the opposing candidate. The Obama camp seeks to disqualify Romney’s business experience, and the Romney camp wants to keep the campaign focused on a referendum of the President’s economic record during the past four years.