United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Health, Education, and Human Services Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1995-06-28 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:T-HEHS-95-193 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-95-193 P0b002ee18037bf1e f:the95193 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-95-193 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-95-193 T-HEHS-95-193 Medicare programs Health care cost control Medical services rates Medical economic analysis Questionable payments Medical expense claims Hospital care services Claims processing Billing procedures Beneficiaries Medicare Prospective Payment System Medicare Resource-Based Relative Value Scale Testimony HEHS Last year, federal spending for Medicare totaled $162 billion--more than $440 million a day. In March 1995, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that these outlays would approach $350 billion by 2002. In 2005, they could exceed $460 billion unless changes are made. This testimony discusses ways in which the Medicare program could avoid excessive or unnecessary spending. GAO examines areas of rapid spending growth and ways to conserve program dollars--mainly by revising reimbursement policies and better controlling unwarranted use of services. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-95-193/html/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-95-193.htm GAO/T-HEHS-95-193 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-95-193 Testimony GAO/T-HEHS-95-193; Medicare: Rapid Spending Growth Calls for More Prudent Purchasing; Medicare programs Health care cost control Medical services rates Medical economic analysis Questionable payments Medical expense claims Hospital care services Claims processing Billing procedures Beneficiaries Medicare Prospective Payment System Medicare Resource-Based Relative Value Scale