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Secure ID Coalition Applauds Introduction of Medicare Common Access Card Act

Sep 14 |15:37

The Medicare program is plagued with fraud, estimated by the Department of Justice to be $60 billion a year. Yesterday Senator Mark Kirk (R- IL) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced The Medicare Common Access Card Act, a bill to prevent fraud before it happens, saving taxpayers billions.

 

This morning, Senator Mark Kirk, along with Senator Ron Wyden (D- OR), Congressman Jim Gerlach (R- PA), and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D- OR) hosted a press conference announcing - “The Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2011”. These Members were joined by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TX), and Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) as original co-sponsors of the effort. By using proven smart card technology, the bill would upgrade the current paper Medicare card for beneficiaries and Medicare providers to a secure smart card.  The new card would be used to verify both the Medicare beneficiary and provider are who they claim and eligible to receive and provide services. Because the smart cards incorporate secure computer chips, transactions can be digitally signed and verified, proving services and equipment were provided and received. The Secure ID Coalition applauds these members and all the cosponsors of “the Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2011.” To read more, please see the Secure ID Coalition’s Press Release.

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Comments 

 
0 # CAROL KENDALL 2011-09-21 07:48
In theory, this appears to be a good method of reducing fraud. But it also creates many operational challenges. For example, what happens if the beneficiary does not have their card or cannot recall their PIN? Hospitals already have problems with patients who do not have their Medicare card.

I believe the concept is definitely worth evaluating, but its implementation must take realities into consideration.
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0 # Lisa Holmes 2011-09-24 16:52
I applaud the Introduction of Medicare Common Access Card Act. I would like to add that a standard that the card be antimicrobial would ensure that our seniors stay healthy and are not put at risk to exposure to germs and pathogens that grow on the card. See: www.antimicrobialcards.com
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0 # Norman Drew 2011-11-12 11:56
The card already exists all that is needed is to tie into medicare billing system, verification is easy and no pins required. none to remember.
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0 # Michael Bosold 2011-10-06 00:46
I wrote up a project like this 3 years ago and emailed it to John Podesta during the campaign. This is only the billing portion. The card needs access to portable records data, or the cost of duplicate testing will continue. Bill accuracy is great, but the underlying costs of finding medical records, during an ER event is essential. Pharmacy records need to be see during treatment too. Sending this to Sen. Wyden.
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