Tuesday Tidbits

The FEHBlog hopes the everyone is enjoying the holidays. It's a slow week as we wind down 2011 and look forward to 2012.

Last week, CMS released a list of the thirty two health care organizations that will be serving as "pioneer" accountable care organizations beginning next week. "Under this initiative, operated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center (Innovation Center), Medicare will reward groups of health care providers that have formed ACOs based on how well they are able to both improve the health of their Medicare patients and lower their health care costs."

OPM has added a progress report to its web page concerning the Affordable Care Act mandated expansion of FEHBP coverage to Indian Tribal employees. OPM leads the progress report with the following announcement

OPM is excited to announce that Indian tribes, tribal organizations and urban Indian organizations may purchase FEHB coverage for their employees beginning in Spring of 2012. The earliest effective date of coverage for these employees is May 1, 2012. Tribes, tribal organizations and urban Indian organizations may also purchase FEHB coverage effective after this date.

Finally, the Tennessean reminds us that on January 1, 2012, doctors will face a one percent cut in Medicare Part B reimbursement if they are not using an electronic prescription system.