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GAO Releases Report on Spinal Cord Treatment in LTCHs

Members & Publications

February 1, 2019

In December, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its report, Payments for Certain Long-Term Care Hospitals that Specialize in Spinal Cord Treatment. This report was mandated under the 21st Century Cures Act, which created a temporary exception to the application of the Medicare LTCH site neutral provisions for two spinal cord specialty hospitals: Craig Hospital in Englewood, CO and Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. 

Under the 21st Century Cures Act, the GAO was charged with determining the impact of this exception. In its review, GAO found that the exception positively impacted payment for the two facilities. Further, Medicare payments were likely to decrease once the exception expires in fiscal year 2020.     

Legislation Introduced to Alleviate Impact of Conversion Factor Cut for 2021

Nov 09, 2020

Last month, two bills were introduced in the House proposing solutions to the estimated 10.6% Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor cut expected to go into effect January 1, 2021.  The bills offer some relief to the cut, but do not reflect a comprehensive or long-term solution.  AAPM&R has therefore chosen to remain neutral regarding these bills. 

Your Academy continues to advocate for a permanent solution to the conversion factor cut while maintaining the important payment increases to office and outpatient evaluation and management services.

 

 

 

 

 

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