AHA Sues HHS Over Review of Medicare Denials

On May 22, 2014, the American Medical Association (AMA) and 3 hospitals filed a lawsuit to compel the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet statutory deadlines for timely review of Medicare claims denials. Currently, Medicare law requires an administrative law judge (ALJ) to hold a hearing and render a decision within 90 days. In December, the HHS’s Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals imposed a moratorium on ALJ appeals. As of February 2014, there were 480,000 appeals awaiting assignment to an ALJ. To view a copy of the lawsuit, click HERE.