Articles and Blogs

CMS Releases Proposed Payment Changes for OPPS and ASC Payment System On July 6, CMS issued its annual proposal for updating payment rates and policies in the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (“OPPS”) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (“ASC”) payment system. The proposed rule would also implement Section 603 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of... READ MORE

Senate Finance Committee Releases White Paper on the Stark Law Reform On June 30, the Senate Finance Committee released a 19-page white paper examining potential reforms to the Stark Law. The white paper follows a discussion held in December 2015 by Republican majority members of Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees in which... READ MORE

Senate Finance Committee Releases White Paper on the Stark Law Reform On June 30, the Senate Finance Committee released a 19-page white paper examining potential reforms to the Stark Law. The white paper follows a discussion held in December 2015 by Republican majority members of Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees in which... READ MORE

CMS Releases Medicare Trustee Report On June 22, CMS released its annual Medicare Trustees Report that projects the long-term finances of the Hospital Insurance and Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds. The report estimates that Medicare’s hospital trust fund will run out of money in 2028, two years earlier than the panel’s 2015 report stated. Medicare’s... READ MORE

CMS Issues Proposed Rule Updating Conditions of Participation for Hospitals On June 13, CMS released a proposed rule amending the conditions that hospitals and critical access hospitals (“CAHs”) must meet to be eligible to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The agency’s proposal, which includes comprehensive requirements to reduce infections, curb the overuse... READ MORE

House Passes Bill that Includes Provision to Revise HOPD Site-Neutral Payment Policy On June 7, the House of Representatives passed the Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016 (H.R. 5273) that would modify payment policies under Medicare for certain hospital outpatient departments and some hospital inpatient services. The bill would also change meaningful... READ MORE

OIG Releases Report on Health Care Fraud and Abuse On May 31, the HHS Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) issued its Semiannual Report to Congress outlining the agency’s operations during the first half of fiscal year 2016. According to the report, OIG recovered $2.77 billion in improper payments, including $554.7 million from audits and $2.2... READ MORE

House Committee Advances Hospital Payment Bill On May 24, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced the Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act (H.R. 5273) that reforms how hospitals are paid for inpatient and outpatient services. The bipartisan bill moves to the House floor where it could be passed by the full House during the... READ MORE

Ways and Means Committee Releases Hospital Bill That Addresses HOPD Site-Neutral Payment Issue On May 18, the House Ways and Means Committee released the bipartisan Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016 (H.R. 5273). Among the many provisions in the 30-page legislation is an amendment to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (“BBA”)... READ MORE

Ways and Means Committee Holds Hearing on MACRA Implementation On May 11, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health hosted CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt to discuss the administration’s implementation plan for the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (“MACRA”). At the hearing, Slavitt and members discussed the first MACRA-related proposed... READ MORE