MGMA supports a bipartisan bill to reform the medical liability system, improve patient access to healthcare services and provide improved medical care.
The “Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011,” H.R. 5, would ensure patients are compensated 100 percent for economic losses but place limits on noneconomic damages of up to $250,000. The 26-page bill, introduced by Rep. Phil Gingrey, MD (R-Ga.), would limit attorney fees and allow periodic payments of future damages in certain circumstances. It would also enact a “fair share” rule, in which each party to a lawsuit would be liable only for the amount of damages attributable to that party. It will limit the statute of limitations to three years after the proof of injury date or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, whichever comes first, with certain exceptions.
The provisions of the bill, which has six cosponsors, are consistent with MGMA’s longstanding policy to support a federal solution to liability reform. MGMA and 99 other medical associations sent a letter of support to Rep. Gingrey.
**Note: Article obtained from the electronic version of the January 26, 2011 Washington MGMA Connexion Newsletter
Dallas L Alford IV, CPA is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of North Carolina and owner of Atlantic Financial Consulting, a consulting firm that provides comprehensive medical billing services, practice management consulting, coding audits, Medicare compliance, Medicare RAC support and other general medical practice consulting services.
To learn more about Atlantic Financial Consulting you may visit their website at http://atlanticfinancial.us or contact Dallas L Alford IV, CPA directly at 1 888-428-2555, Ext. 200.
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