Here are five observations:
1. At issue is a five-year pilot program that would change the way Medicare Part B pays for drugs. Currently, Medicare pays physicians the average price of a drug plus 6 percent. The pilot program would reduce the 6 percent add-on to 2.5 percent plus a flat fee of about $16.
2. Republicans say the pilot program, which would change how Medicare pays for certain drugs, should be scrapped.
3. Congressional Democrats are expressing serious concerns and seeking changes but generally do not want to terminate the proposal completely.
4. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) said he plans to introduce a bill that would block the program, and that he also expects some Democrats to support it.
5. The administration says it will hear stakeholder feedback before finalizing the new initiative, which could come sometime this summer.
More articles on coding, billing & collections:
States are implementing healthcare policies to help curb costs — 3 things to know
5 thoughts on how insufficient physician-patient communication increases out-of-pocket expenses
Healthcare costs, financial loans driving 56% of Millennials to vote for Bernie Sanders — 5 points
