The Nation - News from July 29, 1986

The denial of Medicare claims for home health care has nearly tripled since 1983 despite rules that encourage hospitals to discharge elderly patients who need follow-up therapy, according to a U.S. Senate staff report. The report also found that the growth in services provided by visiting nurses agencies has not kept pace with the dramatic increase in elderly Medicare recipients needing post-hospital care.

Sen. John Heinz, R-Pa., said the report highlights a “growing number of inappropriate and perhaps even illegal denials of coverage by Medicare.”