Press Releases
Luetkemeyer Sends Letters to CDC and HHS Regarding COVID-19 Fatality Misreporting
Washington,
August 5, 2020
Tags:
Health care
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) sent letters to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director, Dr. Robert Redfield and Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Brett Giroir who have both agreed in the Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis that hospitals could be reporting unrelated fatalities as COVID-19 deaths to receive more funding. The letters and more information can be found below. “As you know, hospitals receive a greater reimbursement from Medicare for any patient on a ventilator and receiving intensive services. However, this reimbursement doesn't change whether the care is for pneumonia or COVID-19. Under the CARES Act, an additional 20% was added to the reimbursement amount for all COVID-19 related services. I am concerned that this has provided a perverse incentive for hospitals to code a patient’s death being due to COVID-19, even if it was not the ultimate cause,” said Congressman Luetkemeyer. Letter to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield can be found HERE. Letter to HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir can be found HERE. Background:
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