Medicare: Improvements Needed in Provider Communications and Contracting Procedures

Statement of Leslie G. Aronovitz

Director, Health Care Program
Administration and Integrity Issues

Madam Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee:

I am pleased to be here today as you discuss modifications to the Medicare program proposed in the Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act (MRCRA) of 2001. Providers have raised concerns that while the Medicare program has become increasingly complex, the education and outreach services needed to comply with Medicare coverage and billing policies are inadequate. Others have raised questions about whether the program could benefit from changes to the way Medicare's claims processing contractors are selected and paid . . .