News in brief - Oct. 9, 2000

Government issues final physician compliance plan - Medicare clinical trial rules released - States get grants to cover uninsured

Government issues final physician compliance plan

The Office of Inspector General released a final version of its long-awaited voluntary compliance plan for individual and small physician practices. Inspector General June Gibbs Brown said the agency hopes to help physicians ensure Medicare claims are true and accurate.

The AMA was still reviewing the final version of the compliance plan at press time. In comments on a draft version, the AMA said the agency fell short of its efforts to translate an institutional compliance plan to a small practice environment. The plan is on OIG's Web site (http://www.dhhs.gov/oig/new.html).

Medicare clinical trial rules released

The Health Care Financing Administration issued a final national coverage decision in September that outlines which costs Medicare will cover for seniors participating in clinical trials.

The coverage decision is on HCFA's Web site (http://www.hcfa.gov/quality/8d.htm).

States get grants to cover uninsured

Eleven states have been chosen to receive one-year federal grants, totaling $13.6 million, to develop plans for providing their uninsured residents access to affordable health coverage.

Under the Dept. of Health and Human Services' new State Planning Grant Program the states will first conduct studies to better identify the characteristics of their uninsured citizens. They then will use the data to determine the most effective way to provide coverage similar to plans that cover government employees.

Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont and Wisconsin will receive the grants.