Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Bill would require Medicaid to pay promptly - Modern Healthcare


Bill would require Medicaid to pay promptly


By Jessica Zigmond
Posted: December 12, 2011 - 2:30 pm ET

Reps. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) and Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) have introduced legislation that would require the Medicaid program to reimburse all providers—including nursing facilities, hospitals and community health centers—in a more timely manner.

The bill, known as the Fair Pay to Medicaid Providers Act (PDF), would extend to these healthcare providers a provision that requires Medicaid to reimburse 90% of claims to physicians in 30 days and the remainder within 90 days, according to Eshoo's office.

“This is a common-sense bill directed to patients,” Eshoo said in a news release. “Our healthcare professionals and facilities deserve to be reimbursed in a predictable and consistent timeframe in order to provide optimal care to those in need. We must ensure that our communities' most vulnerable citizens do not face a disruption in healthcare services, and our bipartisan bill helps to make sure their care is not held up by red tape and bureaucracy.”

The bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

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