iqtsupport, Author at DeBrunner & Associates

Hospital Financial Woes Continue and Will Persist

The immediate financial future for many hospitals is bleak, according to a new study. The study, by the health care management consulting company Kaufman Hall, concludes that “Margins remain depressed relative to pre-pandemic levels.” “More than half of hospitals are projected to have negative margins through 2022.” “Expenses are significantly elevated from pre-pandemic levels.” “Hospitals have faced a profound financial toll.” “Ultimately, U.S. hospitals are likely to face billions of dollars in losses in 2022 under both optimistic and pessimistic." The study cites the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation among the leading causes of hospitals’ financial distress. Learn more from the [...]

iqtsupport2022-09-21T06:00:06-04:00September 21, 2022|Uncategorized|

FEDERAL HEALTH POLICY UPDATE FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 12-16

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for the week of September 12-16. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. No Surprises Act The Department of Health and Human Services, the federal Office of Personnel Management, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration have issued a request for information (RFI) seeking stakeholder comment on how to implement the No Surprises Act’s requirement that health care providers and payers give explanations of benefits and good-faith estimates of costs for [...]

iqtsupport2022-09-19T16:10:33-04:00September 19, 2022|340b, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, COVID-19, health equity, hospitals, Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy, MedPAC, Telehealth|

Federal Health Policy Update for the Week of September 5-12

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for the week of September 5-12. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. The White House The White House has published a fact sheet on the administration’s plan to get Americans an updated COVID-19 shot and to manage COVID-19 this fall. The major components of the plan are providing access to free, updated vaccines; ensuring easy access to testing and treatment; encouraging safe practices; and preparing for potential surges and new variants. Find that fact sheet here. The White House’s COVID-19 response team [...]

iqtsupport2022-09-13T17:33:15-04:00September 13, 2022|340b, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMMI, COVID-19, health equity, hospitals, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Medicare, MedPAC, Telehealth|

Report Details History of Provider Relief Fund

A new report chronicles the history, evolution, and workings of the Provider Relief Fund, which was financed by Congress to help health care providers and their patients through the worst of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Urban Institute report “The COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund: Following How the US Department of Health and Human Services Distributed $178 Billion,” traces the history of the Provider Relief Fund and how it distributed the money allocated to it. It also outlines how the fund evolved, how the money was distributed to different types of providers for different reasons, and the criticisms leveled against [...]

iqtsupport2022-09-09T13:00:52-04:00September 9, 2022|COVID-19|

CMS Seeks Comment on Efficiency, Administrative Burdens, and Health Equity

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a request for information “…seeking public input on accessing healthcare and related challenges, understanding provider experiences, advancing health equity, and assessing the impact of waivers and flexibilities provided in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.” According to a CMS news release, The Make Your Voice Heard: Promoting Efficiency and Equity Within CMS Programs RFI furthers CMS’ commitment to engaging and learning from partners, communities, and individuals across the health system to inform how we can better support the populations we serve. The agency also explains that CMS is seeking to [...]

iqtsupport2022-09-09T06:00:47-04:00September 9, 2022|Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, health equity, Medicaid, Medicare|

MedPAC Meets

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission held public meetings on September 1 and 2. Among the subjects discussed during the meeting were: Reforming Medicare’s wage index system – “the commission remains concerned about Medicare’s current wage index policies, including the system’s inaccuracy, the circularity of hospital-reported data, the large volume of permitted exceptions, and administrative complexity and MedPAC commissioners discussed an alternative wage index methodology.” Context for Medicare payment policy – an annual discussion. Standardizing benefits in Medicare Advantage plans – cost sharing for Part A and Part B services Medicare Advantage encounter data – “MedPAC has been concerned about the [...]

iqtsupport2022-09-08T06:00:28-04:00September 8, 2022|Medicare reimbursement policy, MedPAC|

Federal Health Policy Update for the Week of August 24 to September 2

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for the week of August 29 to September 2. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. The White House The White House has introduced a new “National HIV Strategy” for 2022-2025. The new strategy updates the 2021 strategy and establishes targets for ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. by 2030, including a 75 percent reduction in new HIV infections by 2025 and a 90 percent reduction by 2030. Find the strategy here. Proposed Changes in Medicaid, CHIP, and Basic Health Program Enrollment [...]

iqtsupport2022-09-06T15:25:17-04:00September 6, 2022|Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, COVID-19, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Medicare reimbursement policy, MedPAC, post-acute care, Telehealth|

Federal Health Policy Update for Tuesday, August 23

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. CMS “Roadmap for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency” While the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) has not ended and HHS Secretary Becerra has committed to giving states and the health care community 60 days’ notice before formally ending it – notice he has not given – the federal government is already planning for life after the PHE and its latest step in this process is [...]

iqtsupport2022-08-23T17:33:16-04:00August 23, 2022|Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, COVID-19, Medicare, Medicare regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy, MedPAC, post-acute care, Telehealth|

Federal Health Policy Update for Wednesday, August 17

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. White House The White House has released a fact sheet outlining key supports and guidance it is providing for protecting students, teachers, and school communities and for managing the risks of COVID-19 spread for the upcoming school year. These resources and guidance focus on using COVID-19 vaccines and boosters as the first line of defense to protect in-person learning; providing robust access to COVID-19 testing at schools to [...]

iqtsupport2022-08-17T17:13:54-04:00August 17, 2022|Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, COVID-19|

Federal Health Policy Update for Monday, August 8`

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:30 p.m. on Monday, August 8. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress On Sunday, the Senate passed the Democrats’ health care, climate, and tax bill, H.R. 5376, The Inflation Reduction Act, by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote. Health care provisions in the reconciliation bill include: allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices limiting out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare enrollees to $2,000 a year extending for three years enhanced Affordable Care Act [...]

iqtsupport2022-08-08T16:12:06-04:00August 8, 2022|Affordable Care Act, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Congress, COVID-19, deficit reduction, Medicaid, Medicare reimbursement policy, Telehealth|

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