Senate delays vote on SGR package

The Senate adjourned early this morning for a two-week recess without taking a vote on H.R. 2, legislation to permanently repeal the flawed Medicare physician sustainable growth rate formula. But Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) says the chamber will take up the bill when it returns on April 13 and that he expects it to pass. AHA is urging the Senate to pass the bill, which passed the House yesterday. The current SGR patch expires March 31. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans to update providers on contingency plans by April 11, noting that electronic claims are paid at least 14 calendar days after receipt and paper claims 29 days after receipt. For a summary of the bill’s provisions impacting health care providers, see the AHA’s March 24 Special Bulletin for members.