Bulletin Board
Bulletin Board
Dispute Resolution Continues Despite Shutdown
The No Surprises Act’s Independent Dispute Resolution process continues during the federal government shutdown. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a notice advising disputing parties to continue submitting disputes for resolutions but warns that a prolonged shutdown could affect the timeliness of the resolution of those disputes. Learn more from this CMS notice.
Federal Health Policy Update for October 3
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for September 26 to October 3. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Health Care During the Government Shutdown With the federal government technically without spending authority now that FY 2026 has begun without an approved FY 2026 budget, the federal role in health care will change in some respects and be greatly reduced in others. Medicare and Medicaid will continue to function; previous legislation ensures Medicaid funding through the first quarter of [...]
Health Care During the Government Shutdown
With the federal government technically without spending authority now that FY 2026 has begun without an approved FY 2026 budget, the federal role in health care will change in some respects and be greatly reduced in others. The Department of Health and Human Services anticipates reducing its workforce by 40 percent during the federal government shutdown while the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services anticipates furloughing nearly half its staff. The Office of Management and Budget has issued a memo encouraging agencies to consider making at least some and possibly [...]
New Medicaid Work Requirement Could Slam Hospital Finances
The Medicaid work/community engagement requirement included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act could cost hospitals millions of dollars – losses that could translate into potential declines of 11.7-13.3 percent in hospital operating margins, according to a Commonwealth Fund analysis based on Urban Institute data. Not all current Medicaid participants are subject to the new work and community engagement requirements but between 5.5 million and 6.3 million people are expected to lose their Medicaid benefits as a result of those requirements. Among them, some will be newly unemployed; some will [...]
Hospitals to Face More Readmissions Penalties in 2026
Hospital readmissions penalties will increase, as will the size of the typical penalty, in the coming year. Beginning in FY 2026, the proportion of hospitals that will be penalized at least one percent for excessive readmissions under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program will rise from seven percent of all hospitals to eight percent. The number of hospitals penalized less than one percent will decline. Hospitals that care for the highest proportions of dually eligible Medicare/Medicaid patients will see their penalties increase slightly. The penalties [...]