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AHCA Comments on CMS Proposed Rules
on Medicare Revisit User Fees
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View Full Text of
the Response
In the June 29, 2007 of the Federal Register,
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed regulations
regarding establishment of revisit user fee(s) for Medicare Survey and
Certification. AHCA has issued its response to the proposed rules; the full
text of the response can be
viewed here (PDF).
In short, AHCA strongly disagrees with the underlying policy principal of
imposing user fees on Medicare providers, noting that the net effect of
charging revisit fees is a reduction in resources available to care for
Medicare beneficiaries. It is estimated that revisit fees will generate in
excess of $35 million annually.
AHCA also opposes the fee based on concerns that it creates an incentive for
additional survey visits. Additionally, the AHCA response to the proposed
rule raises significant concerns with process issues, noting that the use of
revisit fees following a complaint survey is inherently flawed, noting that
the revisit fee does nothing to promote quality care and is unfair to
providers seeking an impartial review by surveyors.
We will keep you apprised as additional information becomes available about
the proposed rule.
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