Articles and Blogs

Thursday, March 26 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.​ Congressional Outlook Just before midnight last night, the Senate approved the CARES... READ MORE

The lack of medical supplies and equipment necessary to treat patients and to protect individuals and health care workers from becoming infected with and spreading COVID-19 has been a constant refrain during this pandemic. The overall supply of these essential items, ranging from ventilators to personal protective equipment (“PPE”) to prevent the spread of... READ MORE

On March 24, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) issued a joint statement offering an insight into the Agencies’ approach to the COVID-19 pandemic and how entities can engage in pro-competitive collaboration that does not violate the antitrust laws. While much of... READ MORE

Wednesday, March 25 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.​ Congressional Outlook Early this morning, the Senate finally reached a tentative agreement... READ MORE

On March 23, 2020, the Health Resources & Services Administration (“HRSA”) launched a new webpage providing COVID-19 information related to the 340B drug discount program (“340B Program”), including responses to frequently asked questions related to COVID-19. HRSA’s COVID-19 Resources webpage is available here. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals and other 340B Program... READ MORE

In a previous article, we reported on CMS’s implementation of new billing edits that will Return to Provider any hospital UB-04 claims that identify a service location that is not an exact match to a Medicare-enrolled location identified in Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System. The implementation date was set to begin in April of... READ MORE

On March 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) began reaching out to many hospital administrators to inquire about how they are responding to the COVID-19 national emergency as part of OIG’s planned projects (“Work Plan”). OIG has suggested that these requests are part of... READ MORE

Tuesday, March 24 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.​ Congressional Outlook Negotiations in the Senate over the third stimulus bill continued... READ MORE

As the country contends with exponential growth in the number of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) cases, government agencies tasked with protecting health care programs and enforcing the law are sending strong messages to those who may commit fraud to take advantage of the current situation. The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) filed an enforcement... READ MORE

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, hospitals and health system leaders are being proactive to ensure they have the physician and advanced practice provider (“APP”) coverage needed to provide sustainable care for a growing influx of coronavirus patients. In addition, health systems are being faced with unique issues on redeployment of physicians and... READ MORE