Government Healthcare Policy, Business and Technology

Hospitals and lobbying groups at odds over Medicare policy

Modern Healthcare: A congressional advisory panel said hospitals and the trade groups that represent them disagree whether a rule requiring a physician to aid and direct other hospital staff on certain procedures would be harmful if enforced.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission on Friday released a report that revealed the discord. The 21st Century Cures Act required the advisory group to examine the impact of the so-called direct supervision requirement. The rule was first introduced in 2009 but its enforcement has been delayed several times.

Hospital associations told the CMS that small rural hospitals don't have enough staff to comply. But while conducting surveys, MedPAC revealed a divide between trade groups and on-the-ground hospital officials.

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