AHCA Comments on CMS Proposed Rules on Medicare Revisit User Fees

AHCA Comments on CMS Proposed Rules
on Medicare Revisit User Fees

- 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.