To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a standard of efficiency in the provision of home health services to Medicare beneficiaries and to reward those home health agencies who meet or exceed the standard, and for other purposes.
Medicare Home Health Agency Efficiency Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, with respect to the interim payment system for home health services. Replaces the current reasonable cost limit under the system (105 percent of the median of per visit costs of freestanding home health agencies) with: (1) 110 percent of the mean of such costs (during FY 1998); and (2) 107 percent of such mean (for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1998).
Repeals the two-year freeze on payment increases for such services.
Revises the formula for the per beneficiary annual limitation.
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, according to a specified formula, a per beneficiary efficiency standard for services furnished by home health agencies for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997.
Repeals the default reduction of interim limits.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to House Ways and Means
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to House Commerce
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
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