Policy & Regulation: Page 2

First platform in embattled VA-Cerner EHR project goes live

The $16 billion initiative has been dogged by delays, infrastructure problems and leadership turnover since 2018.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 26, 2020

Hospitals slam 'disturbing' COVID-19 data reporting requirement threatening Medicare funding

The American Hospital Association quickly bashed the interim final rule, calling it "heavy-handed" and requesting it be reversed immediately.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 26, 2020

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Labor

While labor strife among healthcare workers is hardly new, the COVID-19 pandemic brought new issues to the table, including re-use of personal protective equipment and other safety measures.

By Healthcare Dive staff

Trump admin delays final rule easing anti-kickback regs until next August

The American Hospital Association criticized the delay as "an extremely disappointing setback for hospital and health system efforts to continue to innovate coordinated care arrangements."

By Rebecca Pifer • UPDATED: Aug. 27, 2020 at 8:46 a.m.

Fitbit launches new smartwatch as EKG feature awaits FDA's OK

The device, which includes a skin temperature sensor and a heart rate tracker, comes as wearables are being trialed as early warning devices for COVID-19.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 25, 2020

FDA ends pressure-packed weekend with emergency OK for blood-derived COVID-19 treatment

The emergency clearance for convalescent plasma came a day after public pressure from President Donald Trump to speed up treatments for the novel coronavirus, and without data from a placebo-controlled trial.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 24, 2020

Many COVID-19 cost-sharing waivers set to expire by October: study

The Kaiser Family Foundation report raises concerns more privately insured individuals could soon be exposed to steep medical costs at a time of deep economic and public health instability, even as payers report record profits.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 21, 2020

Two-fifths of working-age adults lacked reliable insurance in first half of 2020, Commonwealth Fund says

People of color disproportionately lacked comprehensive coverage and were more likely to struggle financially with medical bills, the report found.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 19, 2020

CMS urges resumption of essential procedures, organ transplants for ESRD patients

Medicare end-stage renal disease beneficiaries have 3.5 times heightened risk of COVID-19 infection, according to an HHS analysis of early claims data.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 18, 2020

FDA gives nod to COVID-19 saliva test that doesn't need special swab or collection device

While the agency called the method potentially groundbreaking, one public health expert cautioned that the assay must be performed in highly specialized labs and is not considered a rapid test.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Aug. 17, 2020

Patient-provider encounter trends have stabilized, but remain significantly lower than before COVID-19

Meanwhile, telemedicine encounters have settled in at rates much higher than pre-pandemic levels. However, they still make up just a fraction of visits, according to an analysis from The Commonwealth Fund.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 17, 2020

Payers win again, court rules Trump admin violated law in axing ACA cost-sharing payments

Judges said, however, that insurers able to raise premiums to offset the loss of the payments in 2018 should not receive the entire unpaid amount.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 14, 2020

Oklahoma pulls Medicaid block grant application

The move comes after the state's voters narrowly approved Medicaid expansion last month and is a blow to the Trump administration's attempt to overhaul the program with block grants, long a conservative policy goal.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 14, 2020

As Congress eyes an inquiry into insurer profits, experts caution they may not last

"One thing that we can be certain of is that the lower level of claims cost experienced in the second quarter will not continue indefinitely," Bradley Ellis, senior director of North American insurance ratings for Fitch Ratings, said.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 12, 2020

Biden VP pick Harris, early backer of 'Medicare for All,' later pivoted

Among the largest donors to Sen. Kamala Harris' primary run were workers, owners and political action committees associated with healthcare powerhouse Kaiser Permanente.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 12, 2020

20 state AGs urge Trump admin to nix proposed tax breaks for health sharing ministries

Saying it would undermine the Affordable Care Act and encourage fraud, the attorneys general called a draft rule arbitrary and particularly dangerous amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 12, 2020

New CMS value-based payment model aimed at rural hospitals, ACOs

The program will include upfront and capitated payments for providers as well as some regulatory flexibilities. It will require facilities to partner with state Medicaid agencies in an attempt to improve care coordination.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 11, 2020

State coronavirus testing plans diverge wildly, some intend slowdown by December

Monthly testing target reports submitted to HHS show Connecticut and Illinois seek to scale up, for example, while Louisiana and Maine predict lower volume by the end of the year.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 11, 2020

OIG says hospitals overbilled Medicare $267M by improperly coding post-discharge services

The watchdog recommended CMS direct its recovery audit contractors to recoup overpayments made within the past four years.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 10, 2020

Telehealth claims dipped in May, but still up 5,680% from year ago: Fair Health

The latest insurance data found private claims for virtual care fell 33% from April, but are still wildly up amid lockdowns and the ongoing pandemic.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 07, 2020

Trump tries to revamp drug supply chain with latest order

A directive announced by the president Thursday would require government agencies to buy certain "essential" drugs from factories in the U.S. How easily such an order would be implemented isn't clear.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 07, 2020

DOJ sues Cigna, alleging $1.4B in Medicare Advantage fraud

The payer used a medical assessment program to find health conditions that could raise risk scores of plan members, offering incentives to physicians who gave the exam, according to the lawsuit.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 06, 2020

Fresh off Medicaid win in Missouri, Fairness Project calls for health industry to step up

"We need to see health insurers and private hospitals step up and make massive investments in these campaigns," Jonathan Schleifer, executive director of the D.C.-based advocacy group, told Healthcare Dive.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 06, 2020

Missouri voters usher in Medicaid expansion

It's the latest red state to take the issue of expanded access to government-sponsored health coverage to its voters, ringing in a victory via an amendment to the state's constitution. 

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 05, 2020

CMS proposes eliminating inpatient-only list

The agency said the COVID-19 pandemic has "highlighted the need for more healthcare access points throughout the country," including ambulatory surgical centers.

By Shannon Muchmore • UPDATED: Aug. 4, 2020 at 3:39 p.m.

CMS expands telehealth coverage in physician fee rule following Trump executive order

The agency is proposing making permanent almost two dozen new telehealth codes. A notable exception is Medicare's temporary reimbursement for audio-only visits, though the agency did ask for public input on the omission.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 04, 2020