News

As the COVID-19 public health emergency’s continuous coverage requirement ends and states redetermine eligibility for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program enrollees, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights yesterday reminded state health officials of their obligations under federal civil right laws to provide meaningful language access for individuals with limited English proficiency and ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services April 5 released a final rule that would increase oversight of Medicare Advantage plans and better align them with Traditional Medicare, address access gaps in behavioral health services and further streamline prior authorization processes.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services April 4 issued a proposed rule for the inpatient psychiatric facility prospective payment system for fiscal year 2024.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services April 4 issued a proposed rule  for fiscal year 2024 for the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system, which would increase aggregate Medicare spending by 3.7% or $1.2 billion compared with FY 2023.

The Department of Health and Human Services April 3 released a national plan to advance the fight against cancer, which includes strategies to prevent cancer, detect cancers early, develop effective treatments, eliminate inequities, engage people in cancer research, deliver optimal care, maximize data utility and optimize the cancer care and research workforce.

The ABIM Foundation and the Beryl Institute are surveying clinicians to learn more about best practices and ideas for health care organizations and leaders building trust with physicians, nurses, physician assistants and other practitioners.

The Food and Drug Administration April 3 announced that it will require manufacturers of opioid analgesics used in outpatient settings to modify their Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy within 180 days to make prepaid mail-back envelopes and educational materials on safe opioid disposal available to outpatient pharmacies and other dispensers.

Costs incurred after the public health emergency ends May 11 will not be eligible for funding under the COVID-19 Public Assistance Program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced March 30.  

Commenting April 4 on topics discussed by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission in March, AHA said it continues to strongly oppose additional site-neutral payment cuts to hospital outpatient departments, which need stable and adequate government reimbursements to ensure access to care in this highly challenging financial environment.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Friday issued a waiver permitting most health care facilities to use emergency power sources authorized by the 2021 edition of the National Fire Protection Association Health Care Facilities Code, including a microgrid system.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services April 3 released the fiscal year 2024 proposed rule for inpatient rehabilitation facilities, which would update IRF payments by an estimated 3.7% overall (or $335 million) in FY 2024

Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have introduced the Rural Hospital Support Act (S.1110), AHA-supported legislation that would make permanent the Medicare-dependent Hospital program and enhanced low-volume Medicare adjustment for small rural prospective payment system hospitals.

Mandating federal staffing ratios for nursing homes would accelerate the labor shortage across the continuum of care and reduce access to care for America’s seniors, AHA and the American Health Care Association told the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on April 3.

No other part of the health care sector does more than our nation’s hospitals and health systems to support patients and communities. Our doors are always open, 24/7, and ready to serve patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued its proposed rule updating hospice payments for fiscal year 2024. CMS proposes a 2.8% ($720 million) estimated net increase to payments compared with FY 2023 payments.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today finalized proposed changes to Medicare Advantage plan capitation rates and Part C and Part D payment policies for calendar year 2024, which the agency estimates will increase MA plan revenues by an average 3.32% from 2023 to 2024.

New results from an ongoing clinical trial provide strong evidence that emergency departments can safely start buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder without triggering withdrawal in people who use fentanyl, the National Institutes of Health reports.

The Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will have sufficient funds to pay full benefits until 2031, according to the latest annual report by the Medicare Board of Trustees.

If President Biden signs as expected Congress’ joint resolution ending the COVID-19 national emergency immediately, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ COVID-19 waivers and flexibilities will remain in place through May 11 as planned.