Advocacy Alert: Urge Congress to Delay Pre-Claim Review via the PUSH Act

With the election over, and Congress shifting slightly back to policy rather than politics, the Home Care Alliance is ramping up advocacy on an important piece of new legislation regarding CMS’ Pre-Claim Review Demonstration.

The Pre-Claim Undermines Seniors’ Health (PUSH) Act (H.R. 6226) offers relief from the demonstration, which has already created a chaotic and expensive mess in Illinois. Providers in that state initially experienced 60-80 percent denial rates and continue to struggle with “partial claim denials” that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) does not count or recognize. Pre-Claim Review also features a time-consuming new paperwork burden, an inefficient electronic system that cannot process documentation, and physician unfamiliarity with what is needed to be compliant due to poor education from CMS. These reasons have led to considerable cash flow problems at agencies, and at least one Illinois agency has closed its doors for good.

Massachusetts and three other states could soon be subject to the burdensome program if Congress does not act.

Please take a few minutes and send a message to your US representative urging repeal of the Pre-Claim Review Demonstration, sponsored by Rep. James P McGovern (D-MA) and Rep. Tom Price (R-GA). It only takes a minute to advocate and gaining support through congressional “co-sponsors” is critical.

Return to www.thinkhomecare.org.