It's commissioner announcement day! Congratulations to our newly appointed Chair, Vice Chair, and commissioners, and to our re-appointed commissioners. GAO's announcement can be found here: https://t.co/3V0qvJU8PQ
From annual check-ups to ER visits, accessing health care may be difficult for people with disabilities.
Today’s WatchBlog post looks at both the physical and other barriers people with disabilities face in trying to access the care they need: https://t.co/fRYMR5LfVw
The U.S. spends a trillion dollars each year on Medicare—providing health care for millions of Americans. The sheer size of this program puts it at risk of fraud.
GAO’s Leslie Gordon discusses efforts to detect & prevent this fraud in our new podcast: https://t.co/vGhFaB21JR
ICYMI, @USGAO audits the U.S. govt’s financial statements each year. As before, we couldn’t express an opinion on the sustainability financial statements due to significant uncertainties, primarily related to the achievement of projected reductions in Medicare cost growth.
Since 2010, the Center obligated $11.4 billion for its activities. Total annual obligations peaked at $1.3 billion in FY 2015 and have since decreased by nearly 40%to $789 million in FY 2024.
It's here! MedPAC will webcast its March public meeting on March 2-3. Topics include: Ground ambulance services, hospice, MA provider networks, MA risk adjustment, beneficiary choice, and part B payment basics. View the full agenda here: https://t.co/IBIeq5Mzgb
Earlier this week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce @housecommerce held a hearing on the issue of fraud in #Medicare and #Medicaid. To watch a recorded version of the hearing, visit https://t.co/uIac7AaE0v
We’re always looking for ways to save taxpayer money & improve federal programs. In fiscal year 2025, our work provided the government $62.7 billion in financial benefits.
Learn about our FY 2025 accomplishments in today’s WatchBlog post: https://t.co/8Zlm1BZLtL
Last week, @HHSGov released its Fiscal Year 2025 Agency Financial Report, which includes information on #Medicare’s improper payment rates. The FFS estimated rate was 6.6% or $28.8 billion, and the MA estimated rate was 6.1% or $23.7 billion.
Improper payments are payments that shouldn't have been made or that were made in the wrong amount. For GAO’s work on improper payments, including how it’s related to but different from fraud, see https://t.co/pmb3RiBL3K
We also reported on physician practice consolidation. Studies showed that at least 47% of physicians were employed by or affiliated with hospital systems in 2024. Studies also showed this consolidation can increase spending and prices. https://t.co/0Po5H3msbD
Today, the House Energy & Commerce and the House Ways & Means Committees are convening hearings to review health insurance affordability. In recent years, @USGAO has provided Congress and the American people with non-partisan, fact-based analyses on this topic.
For example, we convened a forum on reducing spending and enhancing value in the health care system. Forum participants identified reforming health care pricing and #Medicare physician payments as key areas. https://t.co/iKpi2jOzI9