The farm bill was created as a temporary hand out to farmers created during the Depression, but now it's practically a permanent legislative fixture â a massive spending bill Congress passes every five years. Farm bill spending reached record levels in 2000, paying out $24.7 billion in subsidies.
Medicare contracted with the Omaha, Neb.-based StrategicHealthSolutions to serve as a Medicare supplemental medical review contractor (SMRC) in 2012 to âidentify and employ more efficient methods of medical review, such as data extrapolationâ and lower improper payments for fee-for-service claims, according to its website.
Medicaid coverage for Gastric Bypass and lap band surgery is decided on a state by state basis. Medicare will cover weight loss surgery surgery for qualified patients when the procedure is performed by approved surgeons and facilities. Medicare coverage and requirements went into effect on February 15, 2006. Like many insurance programs, Medicare patients may have a co-payment amount even if they qualify.