Government: Page 194
-
Rehab facilities to get 1.7% Medicare rate increase
The proposed increase will be dependent on the reporting of new quality measures.
By Julie Henry • April 27, 2015 -
Consumers, health plans dispute new NY law targeting 'surprise' out-of-network bills
Patients must now be warned in advance if they are to receive treatment from an out-of-network provider, but the debate over the policy isn't over yet.
By Heather Caspi • April 24, 2015 -
Olympus warned European hospitals, but not U.S. hospitals, of endoscope risks
Although the FDA learned of the warnings, it chose not to pass along the information at that time.
By Heather Caspi • April 24, 2015 -
12 states weigh vaccine bills in light of measles resurgence
Officials are cracking down now that the rate of opt-outs has impacted public health.
By Heather Caspi • April 24, 2015 -
Feds use hospital funding to pressure Texas Medicaid expansion
Some experts anticipated that the feds' actions in Florida might foreshadow pressure on other Medicaid expansion holdouts.
By Heather Caspi • April 22, 2015 -
CMS intends to permanently boost state Medicaid enrollment funding
The matching rate will no longer expire in 2015, according to a new proposed rule.
By Julie Henry • April 21, 2015 -
Deep Dive
Five-star ratings: Why some hospitals performed better than others
It's questionable whether or not the star ratings will have much of an effect on consumers' choice of hospitals.
By Julie Henry • April 20, 2015 -
CMS proposes pay increase for hospitals, hints at 'two-midnight' changes
Hospitals that do not participate in quality reporting programs "will be subject to a one-fourth reduction of the market basket update."
By Katie Bo Williams • April 20, 2015 -
Telehealth funds cut from 21st Century Cures, sources say
Another source suggested that the committee is simply trying to downplay industry expectations.
By Katie Bo Williams • April 17, 2015 -
CMS releases first star ratings; only 251 hospitals get five stars
Are the five-star ratings a meaningful reflection of performance? Some stakeholders say no.
By Heather Caspi • April 17, 2015 -
Florida governor to sue feds over alleged Medicaid coercion
The debate could set a precedent for whether the federal government will be able to put pressure on other states holding out against Medicaid expansion.
By Heather Caspi • April 17, 2015 -
CMS proposes 1.4% rate increase for skilled nursing facilities
The increase matches the 2014 hike, but is a drop from the $750-million boost that SNFs received in 2015.
By Katie Bo Williams • April 16, 2015 -
Senate passes 'doc fix', repeals SGR
The bill now goes to President Obama's desk, where it is expected that he will quickly sign it into law.
By Katie Bo Williams • April 15, 2015 -
New draft rule would shorten MU attestation period to 90 days
The proposed rule would either reduce or eliminate other program requirements as well.
By Katie Bo Williams • April 13, 2015 -
Deep Dive
CMS actuary says SGR bill is short-term fix
On Friday, CMS' chief actuary released a report outlining some anticipated short-term and long-term financial effects.
By Julie Henry • April 13, 2015 -
HIMSS15: Mostashari criticizes proposed relaxation of MU rules
"For the first time I'm taking issue [with agency policy]," the former federal health IT coordinator said.
By Katie Bo Williams • April 13, 2015 -
Minnesota: State-created insurer can keep records private
The court stated that the Minnesota Joint Underwriting Association "clearly and unambiguously is not a state agency."
By Heather Caspi • April 10, 2015 -
Deep Dive
Inside the controversial transition to a new Medicare Advantage risk-adjustment model
According to one report, the new model will result in a 23% reduction in plan payments for people with chronic kidney disease.
By Julie Henry • April 8, 2015 -
Study: Changing 'next of kin' definition creates challenges for providers
If the next of kin is not recognized by state law, courts or ethics committees may have to become involved in life-or-death decisions.
By Julie Henry • April 8, 2015 -
CMS proposes rule to extend mental health parity to Medicaid, CHIP
The proposed rule would affect more than 22 million people, but some say it isn't enough to overcome barriers to care for mental health patients.
By Julie Henry • April 8, 2015 -
FDA
AZ allows patients to order lab tests without physician order
The legislation was signed in the midst of the ongoing controversy over Mark Cuban's claim that patients should get quarterly bloodwork to establish a "baseline."
By Katie Bo Williams • April 7, 2015 -
Medicare Advantage payments to rise in 2016
According to CMS, insurers will likely see overall revenue increase by about 3.25%.
By Katie Bo Williams • April 6, 2015 -
Deep Dive
Will the SGR fix impact medical malpractice?
Proponents and critics of a key provision in the doc fix bill weigh in.
By Julie Henry • April 6, 2015 -
NJ insurers fight for change to out-of-network payment rules
Health insurers say existing rules requiring them to pay for emergency care at full charge rates are imposing heavy costs.
By Anne Zieger • April 2, 2015 -
CMS delays 'two midnight' rule enforcement for another 30 days
The agency is giving Congress a chance to pass the "doc fix" bill before it takes action.
By Katie Bo Williams • April 2, 2015
Previous
