AIR Act Regains Momentum

Bill to reform CMS’s out-of-control audit program adds more congressional co-sponsors.

• By David Kopf
• Nov 19, 2014

Industry efforts to support legislation that would reform CMS’s audit program have picked up much-needed momentum.

After no adding co-sponsors since mid September, H.R. 5083, known as the Audit Improvement and Reform Act (aka, the AIR Act), gained eight new congressional backers, bringing the total number of lawmakers officially supporting the legislation to 44.

The bill was introduced into the House by Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) and John Barrow (D-Ga.) in orderto address key problems with Medicare’s unchecked audit system by boosting transparency within the program; providing better education and outreach; and rewarding suppliers that have low error rates on audited claims.

The new backers of the AIR Act are:

• Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich)
• Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.)
• Rep. Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.)
• Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.)
• Rep. James Langevin (D-R.I.)
• Rep. David P. Joyce (R-Ohio)
• Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.)
• Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.)