S1837
Proposed bill establishes an Outpatient Radiation Oncology Services Task Force and imposes a 2 year moratorium on any new healthcare service that provides radiation therapy. Does not apply to ...

S1742
Requires healthcare provider participating in carrier network to give written notice to coveed person whenever they refer the covered person to any out-of-network provider.

IRS Seeks Comments from Tax-Exempt Hospitals on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA") Billing/Collection Requirements

The IRS recently published Notice 2010-39 - "Request for Comments Regarding Additional Requirements for Tax-Exempt Hospitals" . Comments must be submitted to the IRS by July 22, 2010 and may be submitted electronically.

Tax-emempt hospitals should be reviewing their billing and collection policies and procedures to ensure they are not using "extraordinary collection actions" to collect payment from patients before the hospitals have taken "reasonable efforts" to determine whether patients are eligible for financial assistance.

Hospitals should review their collection policies and review Section 501(r).

More information on the Request for Comments

Healthcare reform is a major priority for many, if not all of us. For those paying for healthcare, the prices seem exorbitant. For those being paid for goods and services, the revenue received seems to barely cover expenses. For everyone, the system is complex and often irrational. 

The healthcare reform bills being debated in Congress are complex and it is difficult to access whether various provisions will lead to positive reforms or more new challenges. Each bill treats Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drugs and  provider payments differently.

The links below direct you to resources that may be useful in understanding the implications of the new laws. HFMA NJ assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or the content of any of these materials.

HFMA
Kaiser Family Foundation
Washington Post

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