“WASHINGTON, DC – The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC), an organization representing health care consumer, payer, purchaser, and provider groups, praised the introduction today of the new bipartisan anti-fraud bill: The Protection of Integrity in Medicare Act (PIMA) of 2014.

“PIMA gives the Medicare program the tools it needs to fight the up to $60 billion a year in fraud and abuse it faces. We urge the House and Senate to quickly consider the bill, make any necessary improvements and send it the President’s desk by the New Year,” said NCHC President and CEO John Rother.

The new legislation incorporates elements from a number of other proposed bills including the Medicare PRIME Act, which had previously been endorsed by NCHC. PIMA would

• Require a single national prescriber identifier for pharmacy claims to allow better tracking and identification of prescription drug diversion and fraud;
• Improve the Senior Medicare Patrol program which engages Medicare beneficiaries in reporting and combatting fraud;
• Incentivize state participation in the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match program which allows authorities to better identify those perpetrating fraud across both programs; and
• Enable Medicare drug plans to establish pharmacy management programs designed to limit abuse or diversion of opioids and similar medications.

The legislation was co-sponsored by Ways and Means Health Sub-Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA).

“This legislation is one example of what can be achieved when legislators from both parties stop merely arguing about health care costs, and actually do something about them,” said Rother. “We’ll need more bipartisan efforts like it if we are to address the rising health costs which are squeezing American families and businesses.””

See full press release: https://www.nchc.org/nchc-calls-for-passage-of-new-bipartisan-legislation-to-combat-health-care-fraud/

FILED UNDER: PRESS RELEASES

NCHC Calls For Passage of New, Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Health Care Fraud

DECEMBER 2, 2014 BY LARRY MCNEELY

December 2, 2014

Contact:   Kelly Peuquet
                 National Coalition on Health Care
                 [email protected]
                 202-638-7151, ext. 114

NCHC Calls For Passage of New, Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Health Care Fraud

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC), an organization representing health care consumer, payer, purchaser, and provider groups, praised the introduction today of the new bipartisan anti-fraud bill: The Protection of Integrity in Medicare Act (PIMA) of 2014.

“PIMA gives the Medicare program the tools it needs to fight the up to $60 billion a year in fraud and abuse it faces. We urge the House and Senate to quickly consider the bill, make any necessary improvements and send it the President’s desk by the New Year,” said NCHC President and CEO John Rother.

The new legislation incorporates elements from a number of other proposed bills including the Medicare PRIME Act, which had previously been endorsed by NCHC. PIMA would

• Require a single national prescriber identifier for pharmacy claims to allow better tracking and identification of prescription drug diversion and fraud;
• Improve the Senior Medicare Patrol program which engages Medicare beneficiaries in reporting and combatting fraud;
• Incentivize state participation in the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match program which allows authorities to better identify those perpetrating fraud across both programs; and
• Enable Medicare drug plans to establish pharmacy management programs designed to limit abuse or diversion of opioids and similar medications.

The legislation was co-sponsored by Ways and Means Health Sub-Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA).

“This legislation is one example of what can be achieved when legislators from both parties stop merely arguing about health care costs, and actually do something about them,” said Rother. “We’ll need more bipartisan efforts like it if we are to address the rising health costs which are squeezing American families and businesses.”

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The National Coalition on Health Care(NCHC), the oldest and most diverse group working to achieve comprehensive health system reform, is a 501(c)(3) organization representing more than 80 participating organizations, including medical societies, businesses, unions, health care providers, faith-based associations, pension and health funds, insurers and groups representing consumers, patients, women, minorities and persons with disabilities. Member organizations collectively represent – as employees, members, or congregants – over 100 million Americans.

Some members of NCHC do not, or cannot, take positions either on specific legislation, strategies or on any policies outside their respective mission areas. However, all that can, do endorse broad policy positions in support of comprehensive health system change.