Podcasts about incentive payment system

Join us as we demystify the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, offering valuable insights and tips to help healthcare professionals optimize performance, enhance patient care, and navigate the complex landscape of quality reporting.  Check out this week's podcast to dive into the world of MIPS with expert guidance to ensure your practice thrives in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.Join other healthcare professionals in the discussion on Facebook Group RevMD.Don't miss an episode, subscribe via Apple Podcasts and if you haven't done so already, Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.If you are looking for a reliable, data-driven, medical biller to help grow your revenue reach out to Info@nationalrevenueconsulting.com or visit us here.

With the recent announcement of the 2023 Physician Fee Schedule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) remains committed to encouraging and incentivizing cost efficiency by providers. Physicians electing to participate in the CMS Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) will experience +/-9 percent impact in their traditional Medicare reimbursement based on their performance, 30 percent (2.7 percent of the total) of which is derived from cost efficiency based solely on claims data. During the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesday, James S. Kennedy MD, will briefly review these MIPS inpatient and outpatient episode models, including screening colonoscopies, cataract surgery, knee and hip replacements, and many others that are being assessed, all of which make a coder's and CDI specialist's job more important than ever.For further information, you can hear Dr. Kennedy speak on this subject at the AAPC Regional HEALTHCON being held in Denver on August 4, 2022; learn more athttps://www.aapc.com/medical-coding-education/conferences/regional/denver/#tab-agenda.The live broadcast will also feature these other segments:Coding Report: Laurie Johnson, senior healthcare consultant with Revenue Cycle Solutions, LLC will report on the latest coding news.Tuesday Focus: PSIs, Providers and Queries: Christel Kemble, the PSI/HAC consultant for Covenant HIM, will report on the recent study concerning the Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) reduction program.News Desk: Timothy Powell, CPA, a consultant with Besler, will anchor the Talk Ten Tuesdays News Desk.Journaling John: John Zelem, MD, FACS, founder and CEO for Streamline Solutions Consulting, will continue with his next journal entry.Point of View: Terry Fletcher, a guest cohost who will be substituting for Dr. Erica Remer, will report on a subject that has appeared on her radar screen.

A new set of MIPS (Merit-based Incentive Payment System) updates for Performance Year 2022 have been released. While adjusting to each year's new MIPS rules is an annual challenge many providers are familiar with, it has now become clear that Performance Year 2022 will bring changes more significant than those seen in previous years.  To learn more, visit the Medical Advantage website.

It's difficult to believe, but 2022 is just around the corner – and with it a new set of MIPS (Merit-based Incentive Payment System) updates for practices to digest and incorporate into their strategy. While adjusting to each year's new MIPS rules is an annual challenge many providers are familiar with, performance year 2022 will bring changes more significant than those seen in previous years.  In this episode, we sit down with Beth Hickerson, MIPS expert and Medical Advantage's Senior Consultant for Quality and Healthcare Transformation. Listen in to hear Hickerson share insights about coming changes to MIPS – including the removal of the Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) Policy, increased performance thresholds, the fact that Quality and Cost Categories will now be rated equally, and more. In addition, Hickerson shares tips and guidance from a career of assisting organizations with MIPS, and best practices healthcare entities can keep top-of-mind to succeed in the long game that is MIPS. This is the latest episode in the Medical Advantage Podcast, where each we take time each episode to discuss the ideas and technologies changing healthcare, and the best practices your organization can take to stay productive and profitable. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. 

Today we talk about "The Score Board" and how we all have specific numbers and data to know if we are hitting the mark. Scott talks about the MIPS scores (Merit-based Incentive Payment System) that his providers have to be aware of and how they affect healthcare providers. Scott talks about how these numbers relate to providing the proper care that patients need and deserve.

Pathology practices are entering a new value-based payment era and the ability to successfully demonstrate contributions to the quality of care provided will likely have a significant impact on their ability to positively impact their own reimbursement in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, also known as MIPS. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized several changes to the program for 2019, which is year 3 of MIPS. In this CAPcast, Dr. Emily Volk, vice chair of the CAP’s Council on Government and Professional Affairs and chair of the CAP Qualified Clinical Data Registry Ad Hoc Committee, discusses what pathologists need to know and do for 2019 in order to be successful in year 3 of the program. For more information on MIPS, please visit the Advocacy section of CAP.org: https://capatholo.gy/2KhOIpR.

Speaking Out on The Quality Payment Program’s fourth episode explores the cost category as a part of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System otherwise known as (MIPS). The Cost category is an important part of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) because it measures resources clinicians use to care for patients and Medicare payments made for care (items and services) provided to beneficiaries.

Speaking Out on The Quality Payment Program’s fourth episode explores the cost category as a part of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System otherwise known as (MIPS). The Cost category is an important part of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) because it measures resources clinicians use to care for patients and Medicare payments made for care (items and services) provided to beneficiaries. Our Host, Temaka Wiliams and featured guest, MGMA Consultant Pamela Ballou-Nelson, RN, MSPH, CMPE, PhD discuss what should be reported and how measures are scored. Be sure to join us in the future as we continue to speak out on the complex inner workings of the Quality Payment Program and provide guidance on how to navigate it efficiently. New Episodes are available on the second Wednesday of each month. For more information about the Quality Payment Program, you can visit Telligen’s Quality Payment Program (QPP) Page & Resources. You can also stay up to date on health-related news, workshops and webinars by following Telligen QIN on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Listen on Mobile: Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Anchor and Spotify

Speaking Out on The Quality Payment Program’s fourth episode explores the cost category as a part of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System otherwise known as (MIPS). The Cost category is an important part of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) because it measures resources clinicians use to care for patients and Medicare payments made for care (items and services) provided to beneficiaries. Our Host, Temaka Wiliams and featured guest, MGMA Consultant Pamela Ballou-Nelson, RN, MSPH, CMPE, PhD discuss what should be reported and how measures are scored.Be sure to join us in the future as we continue to speak out on the complex inner workings of the Quality Payment Program and provide guidance on how to navigate it efficiently. New Episodes are available on the second Wednesday of each month. For more information about the Quality Payment Program, you can visit Telligen’s Quality Payment Program (QPP) Page & Resources. You can also stay up to date on health-related news, workshops and webinars by following Telligen QIN on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

The first episode of The Speaking Out on The Quality Payment Program podcast series will explore best practices for submission of data for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System otherwise known as (MIPS). Our Host, Temaka Wiliams and featured guest, Sandy Swallow give a concise discussion on several topic areas that Clinicians should be aware of as they prepare for their 2018 MIPS Data Submission.Be sure to join us in the future as we continue to speak out on the complex inner workings of the Quality Payment Program and provide guidance on how to navigate it efficiently. New Episodes are available on the second Wednesday of each month. For more information about the Quality Payment Program, you can visit Telligen’s Quality Payment Program (QPP) Page & Resources. You can also stay up to date on health-related news, workshops and webinars by following Telligen QIN on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

The first episode of The Speaking Out on The Quality Payment podcast series takes a serious deep dive into the intricacies of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System otherwise known as (MIPS). Our Host, Temaka Wiliams and featured guest, Sandy Swallow give a concise delivery on several topic areas that Clinicians should be aware of as they prepare for their 2018 MIPS Data Submission.

The first episode of The Speaking Out on QPP series takes a serious deep dive into the intricacies of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System otherwise known as (MIPS). Our Host, Temaka Wiliams and featured guest, Sandy Swallow give a concise delivery on several topic areas that Clinicians should be aware of as they prepare for their 2018 MIPS Data Submission. Tune in for helpful bits on: New eligible clinicians Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APM) scoring What makes up the cost category How QPP affects the healthcare delivery system and clinicians Be sure to join us in the future as we continue to speak out on the complex inner workings of the Quality Payment Program and provide guidance on how to navigate it efficiently. New Episodes are available on the second Wednesday of each month until April. For more information about the Quality Payment Program, you can visit Telligen’s Quality Payment Page (QPP) & Resources. You can also stay up to date on health-related news, workshops and webinars by following Telligen QIN on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Subscribe through iTunes and Google Play. Welcome to this ASCO in Action podcast. This is ASCO's podcast series where we explore policy and practice issues that have an impact on oncologists, the entire cancer care delivery team, and most importantly, the individuals we care for-- people with cancer. My name is Clifford Hudis, and I'm the CEO of ASCO, as well as the host of the ASCO in Action podcast series. For today's podcast, I'm going to give our listeners a quick update on an important announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In an August podcast, I outlined the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and the Quality Payment Program Rule for 2019. This is commonly referred to as the Physician Fee Schedule. Today, I'm going to provide an update on where we are with this for next year. I have to say in passing, it's probably a good day for me not to have a guest, because I'm here with a terrible cold. So what is the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule? This is a fee schedule which consists of a complete listing of all of the fees that Medicare uses to pay doctors or other providers and suppliers. It's a comprehensive listing of the maximum fees. And it's updated each year and then used to provide reimbursement to physicians and other providers working on a fee-for-service basis. Now at ASCO, we, every year, review this rule very closely. And we try to determine and predict the impact that it will have on our members, and of course, on our patients. There are three provisions in particular that we want to highlight today. The first of these is related to care provided in calendar year 2019. And CMS estimates that there will be, overall, a 1% reimbursement cut for hematology and oncology, as well as radiation oncology specialties. It is important to note, however, that the actual impact on any individual physician or physician practice will depend on their mix of services-- that is, what it is they exactly provide and bill. Now the administration has publicly stated its aim to reduce the growing administrative burden that we've all been noting and complaining about for the last few years. And the second item we want to point out is there is some evidence of their sensitivity to this issue in the 2019 fee schedule. They intend to reduce the documentation required for evaluation and management services, frequently referred to as E/M. What CMS did is finalize provisions that consolidate E/M payments. And ASCO had expressed concerns about this previously, which the agency acknowledged, along with other stakeholders, by revising the proposal. And, if fully implemented, they believe that the impact will be delayed-- that is, it will not impact providers until 2021. But by that time, CMS plans to consolidate what has historically been Levels 2, 3, and 4 into a single billing level, and then to pay for Level 5 E/M services separately. So overall, this represents a simplification. And it fulfills one of their stated aims, again, of reducing some of the administrative burden that practitioners face. Finally, the third area that I want to highlight is a new rule starting in 2019 that refers to the amount of reimbursement you will receive for new Medicare Part B drugs. Currently, those drugs in Part B are reimbursed at wholesale acquisition cost plus 6%. They will, going forward, be reimbursed at wholesale acquisition cost plus 3%. It's critically important to emphasize that this relates only to those new drugs that are introduced into the supply chain this year. This new provision will also apply to drugs that have not yet reported an average sales price. But the point is it will not apply to drugs that have already been in use. So it only applies to new drugs, meaning that its reach is going to be relatively limited. However, what you can imagine going forward with each new year and new drugs being introduced is that the percentage over wholesale acquisition cost will translate into more and more absolute dollars. And therefore, this may be a growing concern for practices. I want to switch our attention and talk about the Quality Payment Program, or QPP. In the final rule, there is an update to QPP for 2019. The final 2019 payment adjustment for Merit-based Incentive Payment System, or MIPS, practices and providers will become plus or minus 7%. And it will have adjustments to maintain budget neutrality, as well as to reward exceptional performance. Other noteworthy changes will include an increase in the MIPS performance threshold from 15 points, which is where we were in 2018, up to 30 points for 2019. CMS also finalized two new optional opioid-related measures that MIPS providers can use to report on under the Promoting Interoperability category. These measures will give providers an opportunity to earn bonus points and therefore potentially boost their overall MIPS score. These are the two measures specifically. One allows for checking a prescription drug monitoring program, or PDMP, prior to submitting an electronic opioid prescription for any individual patient. And the second is an attempt to verify an existing opioid treatment agreement with the patient receiving the prescription. So I hope that this summary of the updates to the Physician Fee Schedule for 2019 is helpful to our listeners. Ultimately, our goal is to make sure that oncologists can provide the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. And we aim to help CMS implement policies that will advance that goal. ASCO will continue to work closely with the administration to ensure that CMS understands the needs of the oncology community and the full impact that the rule is likely to have. I would encourage you, if you need more information on the Medicare Physician Reimbursement Plan for 2019, to visit ASCO in Action's website. That's at ASCO.org/ASCOaction. And ASCOaction is written as one word. We have a link to the final rule there. And we also have a helpful, I think, webinar that explains the final rule schedule and QPP rule in greater detail. So hoping this is helpful. Until next time, I want to thank you all for listening to this ASCO in Action podcast and hope you don't catch my cold.

Expert advice for ophthalmic practice administrators and their providers on MACRA and MIPS in 2018, including the key changes in the 2018 Final Rule for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, new details on the four MIPS categories, cataract episode-based measures and more to help your ophthalmology practice thrive in 2018.    

Dr. Miles Snowden, the Chief Medical Officer at TeamHealth, shares his personal insight on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), and what it means for physicians, hospitals, and consumers. Dr. Snowden has seen a lot of changes throughout his career, but none so impactful as the implementation of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System.

Under MACRA, most physicians will participate in a value-based payment program known as MIPS, which stands for Merit-based Incentive Payment System. Beginning with the 2019 physician fee schedule, MIPS will replace the Physician Quality Reporting System, Value-Based Modifier, and Meaningful Use of electronic health records programs. Ms. Laura Hoffman, Assistant Director in the Department of Federal Affairs at AMA, provides an overview of the Clinical Practice Improvement Activities, or CPIA, category, including how the activities may be reported and scored by CMS. Please click here for a full list of CMS' proposed CPIAs Update as of September 2017: CMS shortened the category name to “improvement activities”. The content provided here is otherwise still accurate and up-to-date.

Under MACRA, most physicians will participate in a value-based payment program known as MIPS, which stands for Merit-based Incentive Payment System. Beginning with the 2019 physician fee schedule, MIPS will replace the Physician Quality Reporting System, Value-Based Modifier, and Meaningful Use of electronic health records programs. Ms. Laura Hoffman, Assistant Director in the Department of Federal Affairs at AMA, provides an overview of the Clinical Practice Improvement Activities, or CPIA, category, including how the activities may be reported and scored by CMS. Please click here for a full list of CMS' proposed CPIAs Update as of September 2017: CMS shortened the category name to “improvement activities”. The content provided here is otherwise still accurate and up-to-date.

Under MACRA, most physicians will participate in a value-based payment program known as MIPS, which stands for Merit-based Incentive Payment System. Beginning with the 2019 physician fee schedule, MIPS will replace the Physician Quality Reporting System, Value-Based Modifier, and Meaningful Use of electronic health records programs. Ms. Laura Hoffman, Assistant Director in the Department of Federal Affairs at AMA, provides an overview of the Clinical Practice Improvement Activities, or CPIA, category, including how the activities may be reported and scored by CMS. Please click here for a full list of CMS' proposed CPIAs Update as of September 2017: CMS shortened the category name to “improvement activities”. The content provided here is otherwise still accurate and up-to-date.

Under MACRA, most physicians will participate in a value-based payment program known as MIPS, which stands for Merit-based Incentive Payment System. Beginning with the 2019 physician fee schedule, MIPS will replace the Physician Quality Reporting System, Value-Based Modifier, and Meaningful Use of electronic health records programs. Ms. Laura Hoffman, Assistant Director in the Department of Federal Affairs at AMA, provides an overview of the Clinical Practice Improvement Activities, or CPIA, category, including how the activities may be reported and scored by CMS. Please click here for a full list of CMS' proposed CPIAs Update as of September 2017: CMS shortened the category name to “improvement activities”. The content provided here is otherwise still accurate and up-to-date.

Medicare, cybersecurity, favors for banks, mortgages, IRS bullying, a tax cut for the rich, and a couple of good ideas are highlighted from the law and bills that passed Congress in April. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Laws H.R. 2: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR): Enacted in 1997, the SGR paid doctors for Medicare patients based on the growth in gross domestic product (GDP). If Medicare costs increased more than GDP, doctors payments were cut across the board. According to the American College of Physicians, this formula for payment has meant that the Medicare payment rate to doctors is essentially the same as it was in 2001 and cuts have been postponed so many times that doctors' payments would have been cut by 21% if this bill was not signed into law by April 1. This new law: Repeals the Sustainable Growth Rate formula for Medicare payments to doctors. Increases payments to doctors by 0.5% through 2019 while the payment rate transitions away from a pay-per-service model. The new system will be based on scores assessed by a "Merit-based Incentive Payment System" which will be created by the Secretary of Health and Human Services which will go into effect on January 1, 2019. A list of "quality measures" will be posted every November and doctors can choose which one's will be used in their performance assessments. Doctors will be rated and paid based on a performance score from 0 to 100, which will take improvement into account starting in the second year of the program. The GAO will report on the effectiveness of the system by October 1, 2021. An advisory committee will be created to propose alternative payment models, which will be lump sum payments to group practices and medical homes. Sets a goal for Medicare records to be electronic nation-wide by December 31, 2018. Extends a bunch of existing Medicare programs, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (which covers low income kids whose parents make too much for Medicaid) for two years. Doubles the length of Medicare administrator contracts from five to ten years. Expands nationally a prior authorization requirement for "repetitive scheduled non-emergent ambulance transport" Prohibits the printing of social security numbers on Medicare cards Pays for the new system by... Denying access to policies with no out of pocket costs to people who enter Medicare after January 1, 2020. For all future beneficiaries, they will have to pay at least $147 per year (the cost of the Medicare Part B deductible). Increasing the premiums for relatively high income individuals. People who have a gross income between $133,501 and $160,000 ($267,000 and $320,000 for a couple) will pay a 65% premium instead of 50%, and people above that will pay an 80% premium rate. This would increase with inflation beginning in 2020. Has a huge increase in the levy that the Treasury Department can impose on tax delinquent service providers, increasing it from 30% to 100%, effective on October 16, 2015. Will have auditors distribute information about improper payments to help reduce the number of them. Creates a paper-free option for Medicare notices, saving mail fees. The effect this bill will have on the budget will not be counted. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates this bill will increase the budget deficit by $141 billion. Passed 392-37 in the House and 92-8 in the Senate Sponsored by Rep. Michael Burgess of Texas 95 pages Bills H.R. 1731: National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015 For reference, here's the text as of March 2015 of the Homeland Security Act, which is amended by this bill. This bill: Adds "private entities" to the list of groups that will be part of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, which coordinates information sharing between the Federal government and other entities. Adds new groups to the list of who will be included in the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center who will coordinate with all sizes of businesses. Expands the type of information that the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center will share between the Federal government, local governments, and private sector. Authorizes the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center to share information internationally. Requires the government and businesses to use existing technology to "rapidly advance" implementation of "automated mechanisms" for sharing between the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center and Federal agencies. Participation by non-Federal entities will be voluntary. Agreements that exist before this bill is signed into law will be deemed compliant with this law. All participating entities need to take "reasonable efforts to remove information that can be used to identity specific persons". There's no listed punishments if they don't. The Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection will create policies for governing the use of information shared with the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center 180 days AFTER the bill becomes law. He/she will also be responsible for creating "sanctions" for government employees who disregard his/her privacy policies. Private entities that share information will have immunity from lawsuits, if they share information according to this law. If the Federal government breaks this law, it will have to pay the person actual damages or $1,000, whichever is higher, plus attorneys fees. There is a two year statute of limitations. This law will trump state laws that limit information sharing. The law would sunset 7 years after enactment. Passed 355-63 in the House Sponsored by Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas 60 pages H.R. 1560: Protecting Cyber Networks Act Contains the text of H.R. 1731: National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act Within 90 days of enactment, the Director of National Intelligence must develop procedures for sharing classified "cyber threat indicators" with "non-Federal entities" Allows cybersecurity monitoring of government systems to be privatized Allows "non-Federal entities" to share information to with anyone other than the Defense Department. The entity sharing information must "take reasonable efforts" to remove personally identifiable information on people "not directly related" to the cybersecurity threat. The President will develop polices governing what happens to information received by the Federal Government, within 90 days of the bill becoming law. The Attorney General will create policies relating to privacy and civil liberties, within 90 days of the bill becoming law. A new branch, with 50 or less employees, will be created within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence called the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, which will "serve as the primary organization within the Federal Government for analyzing and integrating all intelligence possessed or acquired by the United States pertaining to cyber threats." Information shared with the government is exempt from public disclosure. Information given to the government "shall not be subject to a rule of any Federal department or agency or any judicial doctrine regarding ex parte communications with a decision-making official." The government can keep and use information given to it to investigate, prosecute, prevent or mitigate a threat of "death or serious bodily harm or an offense arising out of such a threat" and to investigate, prosecute, prevent or mitigate a threat to a minor. The information can also be used to prevent, investigation, disrupt, or prosecute fraud, unauthorized access to computers and transmission of information taken from it, "serious violent felonies" including murder, manslaughter, assault, sexual abuse, kidnapping, robbery, carjacking, extortion, firearms use, firearms possession, or attempt to commit any of these crimes, espionage including photographing or sketching defense installations, and theft of trade secrets. Passed 307-116 in the House Sponsored by Rep. Devin Nunes of California 121 pages H.R. 650: Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2015 Changes the definition of "Mortgage originator" to exclude mobile home retailers who take mortgage loan applications, negotiate loans, or advise consumers on loan terms (including rates, fees, and other costs) This exempts mobile home dealers from licensing, registry, a law prohibiting payment based on the terms of the loan, regulations prohibiting steering customers towards loans they can't repay or with excessive fees, regulations prohibiting mischaracterizing a customer's credit history, regulations prohibiting the mischaracterization of the appraised value of the home, or steering a customer towards a loan that's more expensive than others that they qualify for. Increases the interest banks can charge people buying a home for under $75,000 without the loan being labeled as "high-cost", which subjects the loans to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations. The regulations this would exempt the loans from: Ban balloon payments, which is an oversized payment due at the end of a mortgage Prohibit banks from charging prepayment penalties and fees Restrict late fees to four percent of the payment that is past due Bans fees for loan modification Require banks make sure the loan can be repaid before offering it Prohibit banks from recommending that a customer default on a loan Require that banks receive a confirmation that the customer has received homeownership counseling before they accept a high-cost mortgage. Would allow banks to charge $3,000 or 5% in fees for loans under $75,000, whichever is greater. Current law says banks can charge 5% for loans over $20,000, so the $3,000 fee option would hit the smaller loans the hardest. Passed the House 263-162. Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina was the only Republican no vote. The bill would be vetoed by President Obama. Sponsored by Rep. Stephen Fincher of Tennessee He took $15,150 from Clayton Homes for the 2014 election, his #4 donor and Clayton Home's #1 recipient of funds. Jeb Hensarling, the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee was Clayton Homes #2 recipient in 2014, giving him $8,750. 4 pages H.R. 685: Mortgage Choice Act of 2015 By changing the definition of what charges count as "points and fees", this bill... Reverses a Dodd-Frank requirement that charges for title insurance be counted as points and fees if they're paid to an affiliate of the bank/creditor that issued the loan. Currently, points and fees can not be greater than 3% of the loan amount, which include fees charged by affiliated settlement providers. Every thing that gets exempted from counting as "points and fees" therefore becomes additional charges the lender is allowed to tack on to a mortgage. Exempts money held in escrow for insurance from being considered points and fees, which exempt insurance charges from the fee caps. The change in definition allows more fees to be charged to mortgages, while keeping those mortgages from being classified as "high-cost" and being subject to greater restrictions. This is a zombie bill from the 113th Congress; it passed by voice vote on June 9, 2014. Passed the House 286-140. Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina was the only Republican no vote. Sponsored by Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan His top three contributing industries are - in this order - Insurance ($273,265), Real Estate ($218,175), and Commercial Banks ($193,000). 4 pages H.R. 299: Capital Access for Small Community Financial Institutions Act of 2015 Federal Home Loan Banks are privately owned cooperatives, funded by the global credit market, which provide money to local banks. There are twelve of them around the country and they are owned by the member banks. Most local banks are members of least one Federal Home Loan Bank. Allows privately insured credit unions to become members of Federal Home Loan Banks if they are FDIC eligible or are certified by the State. If the State doesn't get to it in under 6 months, the application is deemed approved. Zombie bill from the 113th Congress Passed the House by voice vote Sponsored by Rep. Steve Stivers of Ohio His top three contributing industries over the course of his four year Congressional career have been Insurance ($898,858), Commercial Banks ($534,622), and Securities and Investment ($502,098). 6 pages H.R. 1259: Helping Expand Lending Practices in Rural Communities Act Orders the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to create an application process for people or companies to have their location designated as "rural" This would allow residents to become eligible for certain mortgages and exempt lenders from regulations intended for urban areas, according to Phil Hall of National Mortgage Professional Magazine Sunsets after 2 years. Zombie bill from the 113th Congress Passed the House 401-1. Nydia Valazquez of New York was the only no vote. Sponsored by Rep. Andy Barr of Kentucky He has taken $333,800 from the Securities & Investment industry during his 3 years in Congress. 4 pages H.R. 1195: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Advisory Boards Act Creates paid advisory boards for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau made up of bankers Places limits on funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Passed the House 235-183, with 4 Democrat Ayes and 5 Republican Nays President Obama would veto the bill Sponsored by Rep. Robert Pittenger of North Carolina His #4 and #5 contributing industries are Securities & Investment and Commercial Banks; he's taken a combined $189,450 during his 3 years in Congress 7 pages H.R. 1314: Ensuring Tax Exempt Organizations the Right to Appeal Act Became the vehicle for Trade Promotion Authority in the Senate Creates an appeal process for organizations that are denied tax-exempt status Would apply to decisions made on or after May 19, 2014. Passed the House by voice vote Sponsored by Rep. Patrick Meehan of Pennsylvania 4 pages H.R. 1026: Taxpayer Knowledge of IRS Investigations Act Gives the Treasury Secretary the option of telling organizations if they are investigating a claim of unauthorized information disclosure by a government, if the investigation substantiated their claim, and if any action, including prosecution, is planned. Passed the House by a voice vote Sponsored by Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania 3 pages H.R. 709: Prevent Targeting at the IRS Act Allows the IRS to fire employees who steer and audit for a political purpose or for personal gain. Passed the House by a voice vote Sponsored by Rep. James Renacci of Ohio 2 pages H.R. 1104: Fair Treatment for All Gifts Act Makes gifts made to 501(c)4 "social welfare" groups, 501(c)5 labor and agricultural groups, and 501(c)6 business groups (including chambers of commerce, real-estate boards, and professional football leagues) tax exempt. Passed the House by voice vote Sponsored by Rep. Peter Roskam of Illinois 3 pages H.R. 1058: Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act Tells the IRS Commissioner to "ensure" that IRS employees are "familiar with and act in accord" with a list of "taxpayer rights" including The right to be informed The right to quality service The right to pay no more than the correct amount of tax The right to challenge the position of the Internal Revenue Service and be heard The right to appeal a decision of the Internal Revenue Service in an independent forum The right to finality The right to privacy The right to confidentiality The right to retain representation The right to a fair and just tax system Passed the House by a voice vote Sponsored by Rep. Peter Roskam of Illinois 3 pages H.R. 1152: IRS Email Transparency Act Prohibits IRS employees from using personal email accounts for official business Passed the House by a voice vote Sponsored by Rep. Kenny Marchant of Texas 2 pages H.R. 1105: Death Tax Repeal Act Repeals the estate tax for anyone who dies after the bill is signed Repeals the generation-skipping transfer tax, which is a tax on gifts and transfers of wealth to unrelated people who are more than 37.5 years younger than the donor, or to related people who are one generation younger. Would lower the top gift tax rate from 40 to 35 percent. The effects of this on the budget would not be counted. The CBO says this would increase the deficit by $269 billion over the next 10 years President Obama would veto the bill. Passed by 240-179 Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas 7 pages H.R. 622: State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Fairness Act Permanently extends the law that allows taxpayers who itemize their claims to deduct their state's sales taxes instead of getting a deduction for their state's income taxes. The effect of this bill on the budget would not be counted. CBO says this would increase the Federal deficit by $42 billion over the next ten years. President Obama would veto the bill. Passed the House 272-152. Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina was the only Republican no vote Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas 2 pages H.R. 1562: Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2015 Stops Federal agencies from contracting with companies that are tax delinquent A waiver can be issued and the contract granted if a report is submitted to Congress saying that the contract "significantly affects the interests of the United States" Passed the House 424-0 Sponsored by Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah 9 pages H.R. 471: Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act Makes the Attorney General list specific laws and regulations that a drug company is accused of violating in their notices to the companies regarding the possible suspension of their drug's registration. Allows drug companies to submit a "corrective action plan" when their drug registration may be suspended Passed the House by a voice vote Sponsored by Rep. Tom Marino of Pennsylvania His top contributing industry for the last election was the pharmaceutical industry; they gave him $55,250. 6 pages S. 971: Medicare Independence at Home Medical Practice Demonstration Improvement Act Increases the length of Medicare contracts for at-home care from 3 years to 5 years Passed the Senate by a voice vote Sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon 2 pages H.R. 373: Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act Clarifies that search and rescue volunteers are not Federal volunteers and are not entitled to Federal compensation. Releases the government from liability for allowing search and rescue teams onto Federal land so that they won't have to get insurance. The government as to approve or deny a request for a search and rescue mission within 48 hours. Passed the House 413-0 Sponsored by Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada Rep. Heck introduced the bill in response to the murder of Keith Goldberg; the search for his body in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area was delayed because the search team needed a special use permit and a $1 million insurance policy. It took 10 months to get the insurance; his body was found 3 hours after their search began. The National Association for Search and Rescue and the National Park Service, however, don't think access is a problem. 6 pages S. 304: Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act Protects the identity of whistleblowers who provide information relating to motor vehicle defects or other dangerous safety problems. Allows the government to give up to 30% of the fine collected from a car company that breaks the law to the whistleblower whose information lead to the conviction. The whistleblower is not allowed to be represented by a lawyer. Passed the Senate by a voice vote Sponsored by Senator John Thune of South Dakota Senator Thune has taken over $380,000 from the automotive industry 11 pages S. 984: Steve Gleason Act of 2015 Starting in 2016, Medicare would cover speech generating devices. Allows people to own their speech generating devices (as opposed to renting them) if purchased between October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2018. Named after former NFL football player Steve Gleason, who played for the New Orleans Saints before being diagnosed with ALS Passed the Senate of a voice vote Sponsored by Senator David Vitter of Louisiana 3 pages Hearings Rules Committee: April 13 on HR 650 and HR 685, about housing bills. Rules Committee: April 21 on HR 1731 and HR 1560 on Cybersecurity House Committee on Financial Services: March 18 hearing on deregulation for banks titled "Preserving Consumer Choice and Financial Independence" Information Presented in This Episode Article: 'Doc fix' headed to president's desk after easily clearing Senate by Paul Demko, Modern Healthcare, April 14, 2015. Article: The mobile-home trap: How a Warren Buffett empire preys on the poor by Mike Baker and Daniel Wagner, The Seattle Times, April 2, 2015. Article: MBA's Mortgage Action Alliance: A Message from MAA Chairman Fowler Williams by Fowler Williams, National Mortgage Professional Magazine, June 11, 2015. Article: U.S. Bank Profits Near Record Levels by Robin Sidel and Saabira Chaudhuri, Wall Street Journal, August 11, 2014 Article: Bureaucracy hindered search for slain brother by Anjeanette Damon, USA Today, March 8, 2014. Webpage: About the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, Department of Homeland Security. Webpage: Team Gleason Press Release: Rep. Kelly Introduces Taxpayer Knowledge of IRS Investigations Act Additional Information Kickstarter: Explore Campaign Finance App by Soloman Kahn. Jen's Podcast Appearances Episode 66: Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria Episode 42: Podcast Junkies with Harry Duran Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Ask Your Doctor by Neal Fox (found on Music Alley by mevio) Thank you by Ben Willmott (found on Music Alley by mevio)