Bulletin Board
Bulletin Board
Federal Health Policy Update for April 4
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for March 29 – April 4. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. The White House The White House has announced that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a government-wide policy to attempt to mitigate the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) and harness its benefits. The order directs action to strengthen AI safety and security, protect privacy, advance equity and civil rights, stand up for consumers and workers, and promote [...]
Medicaid Unwinding After One Year
The process known as “Medicaid unwinding” has now been under way for a year. When Congress expanded Medicaid eligibility in response to the COVID-19 pandemic it also banned states from removing participants from their Medicaid rolls; the penalty for doing so was reduced federal Medicaid funding, a price no state was willing to pay. During the course of the pandemic, nationwide Medicaid enrollment rose 22 million, to 94 million last March. But a year ago states were directed to begin reviewing the eligibility of those then on their Medicaid rolls [...]
Federal Health Policy Update for March 28
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for March 22-28. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. The Cyberattack on Change Healthcare HHS, its Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and CMS have published a resource guide for providers seeking assistance in response to the Change Healthcare cyberattack. Find that guide here. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS has issued a proposed rule to update Medicare payment policies and rates under its Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Prospective Payment System and [...]
Hospital Transparency Violators Falling Into Line
Hospitals cited by the federal government for failing to comply with hospital price transparency requirements are quickly coming into compliance with those requirements once cited. According to an analysis by Becker’s Hospital Review, of the 14 hospitals actually fined for transparency violations, 10 have been informed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that they now meet the law’s requirements. Information about the other four of the 14 hospitals was not available. Learn more from the Becker’s Hospital Review article “Hospitals coming into compliance after price transparency fines.”
Feds Tackling Prior Authorization
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has ambitious plans to improve the prior authorization process between providers and payers – and to save $15 billion over 10 years in the process. The tools it envisions using in its efforts include digitization, better data exchange, and streamlined prior authorization processes. It also will seek to foster greater transparency, requiring payers to be clearer about their policies and guidelines and to provide better explanations when they deny requests for care. Doing so, CMS believes, will reduce health care costs by $15 [...]