Medicaid Work Rules Add to Physician Paperwork Burden, Pulmonologist Argues

A pulmonologist describes how new federal work reporting requirements for Medicaid will worsen the already heavy administrative load on physicians, including prior authorizations and insurance denials. The rule makes it harder for patients with serious conditions to qualify for exemptions, requiring verification that their condition significantly impairs their ability to work. The author calls on Congress to revise the rule to protect both patients and doctors from unnecessary red tape.

EXPANDED:

The interim final rule from CMS, issued in June, shifts the burden of proof onto patients with serious conditions. Unlike earlier promises that those with complex illnesses would be protected