Six ways health care reform will affect you

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand how health reform could change enrollment, oversight, audit exposure, quality reporting, overpayment handling, and Medicare-related payment policy. That makes it relevant for organizations monitoring compliance and revenue-cycle effects tied to federal health care reform.

Article Sections

1. Health care reform overview

   Introduces the reform law and frames the article as a summary of major practice impacts. Sets the context for Medicare- and Medicaid-related changes discussed later.

2. Provider screening and other enrollment requirements under Medicare

   Discusses new enrollment-related oversight and screening processes for Medicare providers. Covers the broad types of federal checks and site review measures referenced in the article.

3. Expanded Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program

   Describes the expected expansion of audit activity affecting Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare drug coverage. Focuses on the program areas and payer settings mentioned in the reform summary.

4. Covers annual wellness visits for Medicare patients

   Summarizes a new preventive service benefit for Medicare patients and its general reimbursement significance. Notes the connection to wellness-oriented assessment and counseling services.

5. The extension of the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) through 2014

   Covers the extension of Medicare quality reporting incentives and the related timeline discussed in the article. Addresses the general effect on provider participation and future payment adjustments.

6. Tighter overpayment reporting rules

   Explains the broader requirement to identify, report, and return Medicare overpayments within a defined time frame. Emphasizes compliance and timing obligations rather than claim-specific detail.

7. The creation of a 15-member Independent Payment Advisory Board

   Describes the advisory board created under the reform law and its role in Medicare payment policy oversight. Summarizes the general policy scope and limits noted in the article.