CMM: Docs unable to refer Mc/MA patients to Specialty hospitals they own

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

From the June 13, 2003 print edition of the Wichita Business Journal

Jerry Siebenmark

Medicare rule proposal could affect specialty hospital reimbursement

Medicare and Medicaid will propose a new rule this year that experts say could affect reimbursement for specialty hospitals -- including those in Wichita -- that have physician owners.

Experts say a rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would ban the referral of patients covered by the government health insurance programs to specialty hospitals in which referring physicians have a financial interest.

That would put pressure on some local specialty hospitals that get as much as three-quarters of their business from patients covered by Medicare.

Full story:

http://www.bizjournals.com/industries/health_care/hospitals/2003/06/16/wichita_story3.html