Medicare: Problems Affecting HCFA's Ability to Set Appropriate Reimbursement211 Rates for Medical Equipment and Supplies

摘要

Medicare spent over $4.3 billion in 1996 for medical equipment and supplies, such211u001eas walkers, catheters, and glucose test strips for its beneficiaries. Problems in 211u001esetting payment rates, however, raise concerns about whether the Health Care 211u001eFinancing Administration (HCFA) paid too much for these items. Our pripr studies 211u001eand a report by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in the Department of 211u001eHealth and Human Services (HHS) have documented that Medicare pays higher-than-211u001emarket rates for some items. At your request, we are currently reviewing the 211u001eunderlying problems associated with setting appropriate Medicare reimbursement 211u001erates for medical equipment and supplies. Because the Congress may shortly 211u001econsider legislation on Medicare payment rates, however, your office requested 211u001ethat we provide you with interim information on the problems we have identified 211u001eto date.