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Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act includes a number of important provisions important to the physician community, and those with respiratory illness - including patients with pulmonary fibrosis. If enacted, the Bill would:
-Stop the 10.6% cut starting July 1, 2008 and a further 5% cut in 2009 Medicare physician payments and replaces it with a 0.5% update for the rest of 2008 and a 1.1% update for 2009
-Create a national coverage policy for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
-Delay the expansion of competitive bidding for durable medical equipment
-Repeal the mandated title transfer for oxygen equipment
Of particular importance to the pulmonary fibrosis community are the provisions for a national coverage policy for pulmonary rehabilitation, and the repealing the mandated title transfer of oxygen equipment to patients after 36 months of use. These issues were previously introduced in Congress as the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Act (H.R. 552, S. 329) and the Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act (H.R. 621, S. 1484), but have since been rolled in to this Bill. The CPF has advocated for passage of these Bills since their introduction in Congress.
Why You Should Care
This Bill would provide nationwide coverage for pulmonary rehab services so that all patients will have access. Published research show that pulmonary rehabilitation can improve the quality of life for pulmonary fibrosis patients, and may improve their health by decreasing exacerbations and hospital stays. The CPF enthusiastically supports passage of this provision within this Bill.
The CPF opposes the existing Medicare statute that medical oxygen equipment would become the property of the patient effective 1/1/09, because of safety concerns for patients. Use of oxygen and its associated equipment requires a physician prescription, and strict adherence to FDA regulations and manufacturer service and maintenance. By repealing this statute as part of this Bill, home oxygen providers would remain responsible for the equipments maintenance. The CPF enthusiastically supports the provision within this Bill to repealing this statute.
What You Should Do
Contact you Senator, and ask for their vote in support of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008!
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