Sequestration relief extended through end of year
By HME News Staff
Updated 10:22 AM CDT, Wed April 14, 2021
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WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has passed an amended version of H.R. 1868, extending the pause on the 2% Medicare sequester cuts through the end of 2021.
As a result, about $158 million more in Medicare payments will be made to HME providers over the rest of the year, on top of the $193 million provided by pausing the cuts from May 2020 through March 2021, according to AAHomecare.
“Keeping the 2% sequester cuts on hold for the remainder of the year will help offset the new costs and operational challenges associated with serving patients brought on by the pandemic,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president and CEO. “This bill is the latest example of the terrific bi-partisan congressional support for health care providers over the past year, and these measures have been especially welcome by the HME community.”
CMS on March 31 instructed the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to hold all claims with dates of service on or after April 1, 2021, for a short period, in anticipation of possible congressional action to extend the moratorium on the 2% sequestration cuts.
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