An article from Modern Healthcare outlines HHS Secretary Tom Price’s support for legislation that allows for balance billing Medicare patients. The intention is to increase the number of providers participating with Medicare. Currently only providers who are not enrolled in the Medicare program are able to balance bill. The increase in Medicare providers will allow patients more choice, particularly those willing to pay a higher cost.
Price is also taking a close look at the final rule which implements MACRA. One priority would be to reduce the reporting requirements for providers, which have been described as burdensome and likely to decrease the amount of time spent on patient care.