For the Record
Medicare extends coverage for certain services
When Congress passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 amending Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, included in the more than 30 provisions of the act are several that impact discharge and transfer from an acute-care setting.
The changes to the Act authorize Medicare coverage for preventive services.
Among provisions that can directly affect patients (and their case managers or social workers) are:
- The sponsors of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 provide for coverage of additional preventive services.
- Grants to states for increasing the delivery of mental health services or other health care services to meet the needs of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom living in rural areas;
- Demonstration project for development and testing of new community health integration models in certain rural counties;
- Coverage of pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation;
- Medicare payments extended for ground ambulance services;
- Establishment of pilot projects with respect to chronic kidney disease;
- Revised requirements for renal dialysis;
- Revised requirements for Massachusetts private fee-for-service plans as well as Massachusetts plans for special needs individuals;
- Amended the Public Health Service Act to extend special diabetes grant programs.
To learn more or to read the Act in its entirety, see "H.R. 6331–110th Congress (2008): Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008," at www.GovTrack.us.
When Congress passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 amending Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, included in the more than 30 provisions of the act are several that impact discharge and transfer from an acute-care setting.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content