New Medicare Appeals Process Raises Concerns : Advocate says that 'older people and people with disabilities will have problems' with teleconferences.

For instance, the bill says that judges “shall not be required to give substantial deference to local coverage determination, local medical review policies, or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services program guidance.” The measure also calls for appeal hearings to be in-person “unless such individual requests that the hearing be conducted using tele- or video conference technologies.” The bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.