CBO Estimates Medicare Smart Card Demo Will Cost $40M, Dems Say Funds Could Be Better Used

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the House-passed Fighting Fraud to Protect Seniors Act would cost $40 million over the course of the Medicare smart card demonstration, and Democrats have previously said that money could be put to better use. The legislation would direct HHS to conduct a pilot project for Medicare so-called smart cards in at least three geographic areas. No more than 2,000 suppliers and providers would participate, and all beneficiaries in the testing areas would receive a...