WASHINGTON — Medicare recipients could see a new out-of-pocket charge for home health visits if Congress follows through on a recommendation issued Thursday by its own advisory panel.
Until now, home health visits from nurses and other providers have been free of charge to patients, but the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission says a copayment is needed to discourage overuse of a service whose cost to taxpayers is nearing $20 billion a year. Medicare charges copays for many other services, so home health has been the exception, not the rule.
The advisory panel did not prescribe an amount, but its staff has suggested the charge be $150 for a series of related visits.
The congressionally appointed commission voted near unanimously by a show of hands to recommend that lawmakers impose the new charge, a step that's opposed by AARP, the seniors' lobby.
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7 comments:
Time for seniors to give some too. Very reasonable proposal.
This is often overused at the request of the caregiver. They get paid by the trip, of course, so they have $$ incentive to keep it going, even though the senior may not need more 'therapy'.
As my elderly mother-in-law says-- "It's a racket."
Tax our seniors so there's more money for welfare moms to have more babies.
Obama care is far more expensive so if you think this is bad wait.
8:42 Keep spreading the lies.
Obama care is a disaster! Higher premiums and more people getting dropped then ever before! More out of pocket expenses than ever before!
Are you saying it's going to be cheaper? liar
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