Commentary

Toad Smokes Bureaucrats

A recent article in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons cleverly titled “Medicare: Incompetence-Based Bureaucracy,” paints an appalling picture. Dr. Huntoon points out that according to a GAO report, 96% of the time, Medicare customer service reps gave the wrong answer to questions posed by physicians regarding the proper way to bill Medicare so as to obtain payment. When he as a fat, warty toad the same questions that GAO did, the toad got them right 50% of the time by hopping right or left for yes or no. Good, funny stuff. But a 96% error rate!? For crying out loud, it is hard to design something on purpose to fail that often. It’s time for pitchforks and torches outside the old Medicare Administration building. Hat tip to NCPA for the lead on this story.