Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program

Federal Health Policy Update for August 30

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for August 23-30.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. 340B Johnson & Johnson, the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical technologies company, told health care providers this week that it would shift from the long-time 340B upfront discount approach to a rebate model for two of its drugs and that eligible 340B hospitals and other providers will need to purchase the prescription drugs Stelara and Xarelto at list price and then, after dispensing them to patients, will need to submit 340B rebate claims to [...]

Federal Health Policy Update for July 13

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for June 30 – July 13.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. 340B CMS has published a proposed regulation outlining how it plans to reimburse hospitals for reductions in 340B prescription drug payments that it implemented from 2018 to 2022 but that a federal court found to be illegal.  The agency calculates that it owes participating 340B providers $9 billion, which it proposes paying to those providers in single lump-sum payments.  CMS also proposes offsetting these payments through reductions in future non-drug [...]

Federal Health Policy Update for May 4

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for April 28 – May 4.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency DeBrunner & Associates has prepared a summary of the status of selected government health care waivers and flexibilities upon the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11. The DeBrunner summary covers telehealth, COVID-19 treatment and coverage, flexible hospital operations, long-term-care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and units, patient cost-sharing, and state Medicaid waivers.  Find the summary here. The COVID-19 public health [...]

Federal Health Policy Update for January 5

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for December 23 through January 5.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. No Surprises Act HHS, the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury have announced increases in the administrative fee for initiating the No Surprises Act’s Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process and for certified IDR entities.  Learn more about the administrative fee change here and about the certified IDR entity fee change here.  Both changes took effect on January 1. HHS, the Department of Labor, and the Department of the [...]

Federal Health Policy Update for Thursday, November 4

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 4.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. New Federal Vaccination Requirements CMS has unveiled its new COVID-19 vaccine requirements for health care providers that receive reimbursement from the federal government.  The highlights include: CMS is requiring COVID-19 vaccination of eligible staff at health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The staff vaccination requirement applies to the following Medicare and Medicaid-certified provider and supplier types:  ambulatory surgery centers, community mental health centers, [...]

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