Articles and Blogs

On July 27, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Covenant Medical Center v. Kennedy (“Covenant”) once again vacated a 2023 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) regulation that excluded inpatient days covered by an uncompensated care funding pool when counting Medicaid Days in the Disproportionate Share Hospital... READ MORE

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issued a proposed rule to update drug establishment registration and listing requirements for distributed manufacturing (“DM”) and certain foreign drug establishments. If finalized, the rule would create a streamlined registration pathway for qualifying distributed manufacturing establishments (“DMEs”) that manufacture drugs at multiple physical locations, while also aligning... READ MORE

The Indiana Health Coverage Programs announced that it has received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) to implement a statewide provider certification and enrollment moratorium for numerous Home- and Community-Based Services (“HCBS”) 1915(c) waiver providers. The moratorium becomes effective August 1, 2026, and initially will remain in effect for six... READ MORE

Hall Render is pleased to announce that Ryan Short has joined the Firm as Practice Growth Strategist. This addition reflects Hall Render’s commitment to equipping attorneys and advisors with the market insight and support needed to compete effectively in an increasingly sophisticated legal market. In this role, Ryan will partner with attorneys, advisors and... READ MORE

According to a recent report, cardiology outpatient strategy is shifting towards ambulatory surgery centers (“ASCs”) and away from hybrid office-based lab/ASC models to streamline staffing, space and back-office functions. Many health systems are prioritizing cardio ASC developments that are physically connected to, or in close proximity with, hospitals to support clinical integration and quality oversight. Nearly one... READ MORE

NATIONAL Analysis shows U.S. nonprofit hospitals embracing more high-risk investments As digital health M&A grows, 2025 buyers show progress Bad debt, charity care surge continues to squeeze hospitals CMS stars redo lifts big Medicare Advantage insurers CMS appeals court ruling on Medicare Advantage star rating methodology as insurers file lawsuits Court upholds HHS control... READ MORE

On January 1, 2027, mandatory downside financial risk under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (“CMS”) Transforming Episode Accountability Model (“TEAM”) will begin for most participating hospitals. TEAM is a mandatory, episode-based alternative payment model that took effect on January 1, 2026, and will end on December 31, 2030. Most hospitals located in... READ MORE

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has announced the nationwide implementation of a new Risk-Based Survey (“RBS”) process for qualifying nursing homes beginning September 8, 2026. CMS Memorandum QSO-26-14-NH explains that the RBS is intended to allow State Survey Agencies (“SAs”) to use fewer survey resources at higher-performing facilities and redirect resources... READ MORE

Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in hospitals and health care systems using credit tenant lease (“CTL”) financing for new outpatient projects. Below is an overview of CTL financing. Overview – CTL financing has been around for many years. In some circles, it’s referred to as lease financing or synthetic lease... READ MORE

NATIONAL 340B purchases reach record $100B: 5 things to know AHA urges court to reject AbbVie bid to change 340B program rules Amazon Pharmacy brings real-time drug pricing to clinicians CMS’ fraud crackdown may not be catching much fraud: Study Democratic bid to end WISeR prior authorizations program fails Digital health funding hits $7.4B... READ MORE