Government waste, fraud, and abuse are a scourge on American taxpayers and a multi-billion dollar insult to the federal budget, but preventing improper payments, particularly in Medicare, is now running into roadblocks despite being a rare example of success. Medicare providers, particularly hospitals, which have for years received billions in improper overpayments, now fully appreciate that new auditing and recovery techniques dramatically inhibit the flow of those overpayments. More importantly, officials managing an actuarially and fiscally compromised Medicare program now have the ability, motivation, and authority to demand that providers repay those funds.
Obamacare Opening Day – Can You Say Fiasco?
I tried to get information on Obamacare yesterday by logging onto www.healthcare.gov. The only thing I accomplished was being transferred to my state exchange. The state website is still experiencing difficulties today so I haven’t been able to find out if the current plan I have (which I pay for out-of-pocket) is more expensive than what […]
Debate and Compromise Is Not a One-Way Street
A few months back my 20-something niece was complaining about how Congress, in particular the Republican House, was just not cooperating with President Obama over spending, taxes, and government-investments like bridges and green energy. She said the current system was broken and that we needed something new so things could be done quickly. I said, […]
Fuzzy Math and Little Details on Obamacare Premium Costs
Today, the Department of HHS finally revealed the premium prices for Obamacare. Several press outlets got an advanced copy and some reporters were not all that impressed. Here is Politico’s take: The Obama administration on Wednesday released a long-awaited report on premiums in Obamacare’s federal insurance exchanges — the first look at the rates that will apply […]
Legislation Puts Medicare Recovery Auditing, and Taxpayers, At Risk
Government waste, fraud, and abuse are a scourge on American taxpayers and a multi-billion dollar insult to the federal budget, but preventing improper payments, particularly in Medicare, is now running into roadblocks despite being a rare example of success. Medicare providers, particularly hospitals, which have for years received billions in improper overpayments, now fully appreciate […]
Navigating Healthcare Privacy
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $67 million in grants to more than 100 organizations to assist individuals needing help navigating the confusing process of signing up for Obamacare. On August 14, 2013, the attorney generals of 13 states sent a letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius, raising apprehension about what they […]
Tax and Spend Won’t Fix the Results of the Financial Crisis
Today, the President gave a speech on the five-year anniversary of the financial meltdown and claimed his policies of government “investments” and intrusion into the private sector, higher taxes, and more regulations have helped the economy turn the corner. He called for more government spending as he claimed, yet again, turning the economy around is his top […]
Will the Senate Close the Door to Obamacare Fraud?
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2775, legislation that requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to have a program in place that verifies the household income and coverage requirements of individuals and families applying for taxpayer-funded subsidies and credits to help them purchase health insurance under Obamacare. By law, the credits […]
Just Words?
Yesterday, The Daily Caller highlighted a continuing issue I have with the Obama Administration and that is using words that attempt to hide or do not describe what the government is talking about. For example, the President constantly uses the word “revenue” instead of taxes and “investment” instead of more government spending. But that is not the […]
Another Delay?
The Obama Administration is changing the requirements again for the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. Reuters reports the administration has decided to delay signing the final agreements with insurance plans that are going to be sold in the healthcare insurance exchanges. The exchanges are supposed to be up and running on Oct. 1. According […]