Articles and Blogs

On November 1, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released its final rule for the Calendar Year (“CY”) 2020 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (“Final Rule”). Among many other changes, CMS finalized three key payment policy updates impacting hospital outpatient departments, including: (1) reducing payments for clinic visits at off-campus provider-based departments (“PBDs”);... READ MORE

NATIONAL CMS releases final site neutral and other payment rules CMS will pay $1.9 billion to hospitals in value-based payments for inpatient care A nationwide doctor shortage is looming. Rural areas will take the hardest hit. Cybersecurity, telehealth bills likely to stall in Congress, CHIME officials say Avoid the bright, shiny objects in health... READ MORE

On November 6, 2019, a federal judge sitting in the Southern District of New York voided the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Final Conscience Rule (“Conscience Rule”) set to take effect November 22, 2019.[1] In its ruling, the Court vacated the Conscience Rule in its entirety nationwide. A federal judge sitting... READ MORE

On October 30, a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers reintroduced the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (“CONNECT”) for Health Act (S. 2741/ H.R. 4932). This legislation is intended to remove roadblocks to telehealth expansion in Medicare by giving providers the freedom to use alternative payment models and incentive programs, reducing... READ MORE

Pharmacies, distributors and third-party logistics providers (“3PLs”) that ship prescription drugs into Alaska should take careful note of the new Alaska Board of Pharmacy regulations that took effect on October 31, 2019.[1] Among other elements, the rules: 1) now require licensure of nonresident wholesale drug distributors (“WDDs”), 3PLs and outsourcing facilities (“OFs”) to ship, mail... READ MORE

NATIONAL Hospitals enter opioid litigation, sue drugmakers for cost of treating addiction Could Amazon be the next national telehealth player? Payments to high financial risk APMs slightly increased in 2018 compared to 2017: survey Healthcare Purchasing Strategies: How 2 Employers Are Driving Referrals Through RAND Hospital Price Transparency Findings Wave of deals expected as... READ MORE

The centuries-old practice of homeopathic medicine, which has been the subject of much controversy and debate for nearly the entire length of its existence, may finally be going to the mat with the Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”). Amidst growth in the homeopathic products industry and associated concerns with their safety, efficacy and quality,... READ MORE

Recently, hospitals operating nursing and other allied health (“N&AH”) education programs have experienced increased scrutiny during Medicare Administrative Contractor (“MAC”) audits concerning their receipt of pass-through cost reimbursement. In many instances, MACs have begun disallowing or reclassifying costs that N&AH education programs received without issue for many years. Oftentimes the MACs are citing new... READ MORE

 NATIONAL By Targeting Skilled Nursing Ownership Transfers, States Look to Prevent More Skyline-Style Implosions Building better healthcare: 5 factors shaping next-generation hospitals and outpatient facilities Surescripts CEO on monopoly accusations, private sector’s role in interoperability 2020 outpatient proposals: 5 rules you should know from CMS AMA CEO: Innovation isn’t about theory — it’s ‘a... READ MORE

It isn’t only the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) and Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) that are interested in all things cannabis. Today, the FDA followed earlier warning letters[1] by posting yet another press release regarding an October 10, 2019 warning letter that was issued jointly by the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission... READ MORE