President Obama Proposes Changes to Medicare Oversight
Online, November 26, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Los Angeles, CA - Medicare payment oversight, long considered a congressional perk for lawmakers who see it as an opportunity to deliver Medicare payments to their hometown providers, may shift to the executive branch under a new executive agency.
An alternate recommendation would allow the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to determine cuts and changes to Medicare.
"MedPAC is an independent Congressional agency established to advise Congress on issues affecting Medicare," explained Alan Weinstock, an insurance broker at http://www.MedicareSupplementPlans.com. "Their role is to advise on payments to private health plans that participate in Medicare as well as to review access to care, the quality of care and other Medicare issues."
If the White House plan is adopted, Congress will yield a large portion of its power over Medicare payment rates to a five-member Independent Medicare Advisory Council, which would be charged with providing two annual reports advising new rates for Medicare providers, including physicians, hospitals and home health services. Congress could block these recommendations only if lawmakers agreed within 30 days on a resolution. The White House would still have veto power.
Members to the new advisory group would be appointed by the president to a five-year term, with the consent of the Senate. Physicians or health policy experts would make Medicare reform recommendations in addition to their primary role of setting payment rates for Medicare Part A and Part B, which service the elderly.
Weinstock said that when there are changes to the Medicare program it can cause Medicare beneficiaries, who are primarily seniors, some concern.
"Understanding Medicare and finding the right Medicare supplement plan means finding someone you can trust to guide you through the maze of information," said Weinstock, whose insurance agency offers those services to seniors through http://www.MedicareSupplementPlans.com.