RenalWeb links to Inside Health Policy which is reporting:
Acting CMS chief Kerry Weems Thursday (Feb. 14) said the agency has no need to conduct a demonstration program before instituting nationwide bundling of Medicare reimbursements for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, labs and other services. Weems’ comment, in response to a question from Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), gives the Ways & Means health subcommittee chair ammunition to fight back bundling critics.
Inside Health Policy is also reporting the White House's proposal to extend MSP to 60 months:
A proposal contained in the Bush administration’s 2009 Medicare budget would slice 4 percent from the Medicare reimbursement for end-stage renal dialysis (ESRD) centers by bundling payment for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), labs and other services that are currently paid separately into the composite rate.
All this would be wishful thinking if it wasn't for the impression that Stark is in favor of the bundling and the MSP is seen as a way to "pay" for legislation that would increase Medicare spending somewhere else. I think both of these proposals are severely misguided but I'm heading to the Everglades so it'll have to wait. I can say my thinking has not changed since I wrote this, this and this.
I think people interested in improving the provision of dialysis in the United States should hope that no action is taken on bundling or the MSP until 2009. Thankfully this year Congressional politics make it unlikely for there to be a big Medicare Bill in 2008 but you can never really know.
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