Medicare Billing: Commercial System Could Save Hundreds of Millions Annually
Abstract
Medicare, authorized in 1965 under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, is a federal health insurance program providing coverage to individuals 65 years of age and older and to many of the nations disabled. HCFA uses about 70 claims-processing contractors, called intermediaries and carriers, to administer the Medicare program. Intermediaries primarily handle part A claims (those submitted by hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospices, and home health agencies), while carriers handle part B claims (those submitted by providers, such as physicians, laboratories, equipment suppliers, outpatient clinics, and other practitioners).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- AD1181313
Entities
People
- Joel C. Willemssen
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office