Articles and Blogs

Late last week CMS finally released its anticipated drug acquisition cost survey (“Survey”) to collect pricing data for certain directly reimbursable drugs called “Specified Covered Outpatient Drugs” that are subject to significantly reduced Medicare payment when acquired using a 340B Program discount (“SCODs” or “340B Drugs”). All hospitals enrolled in the 340B Program during... READ MORE

As federal, state and local governments began passing a slew of new rules and regulations in response to COVID-19, employers almost immediately found themselves attempting to navigate uncharted waters in an effort to avoid noncompliance with these newly enacted laws. A recent investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) brings a little more... READ MORE

NATIONAL 21% of Physicians Furloughed, Had Pay Cut During COVID-19 Crisis 1 in 5 physicians hit with pay cut or furlough due to COVID-19, survey says 11 women making moves in healthcare leadership CMS suspends advance payments to providers, is reevaluating accelerated payments for hospitals CMS to use staffing data to assess PPE needs;... READ MORE

Thursday, April 30 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ CMS Issues Additional COVID-19 Waivers and Rule Changes CMS announced additional regulatory... READ MORE

Wednesday, April 29 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ HRSA to Host Webinar on COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal The Health Resources... READ MORE

In response to COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has implemented multiple updates to the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (“MIPS”) to relieve clinicians of certain reporting requirements including an extension for the 2019 performance year data submission deadline and the extension of the MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances policy for individual... READ MORE

On April 21, 2020, CMS issued a Memorandum identifying state-licensed freestanding independent emergency departments (“Freestanding EDs”) as a critical resource in expanding capacity for hospitals during the COVID-19 public health emergency (“PHE”) and detailing how Freestanding EDs may begin to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs during the PHE. The Memo comes shortly... READ MORE

This is the first in a series of articles covering the employee benefits provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), enacted March 27, 2020, that provides a variety of tax incentives for employers and employees. This article will focus on the retirement plan provisions. Coronavirus-Related Distributions The CARES Act... READ MORE

Tuesday, April 28 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ Trump Administration Releases “Blueprint for Testing Plans and Rapid Response Programs” The... READ MORE

Monday, April 27 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ HRSA Launches COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal Today, the Health Resources and Services... READ MORE