Articles and Blogs

On June 4, 2015, CMS released for public inspection a final rule that makes significant changes to the regulations governing Medicare Shared Savings Program (“MSSP”) ACOs.  The rule, scheduled to be officially published in the Federal Register on June 9, revises numerous functions related to MSSP ACOs and their operations and codifies previous CMS guidance. …Read More

On June 4 and June 10, the Rural Utilities Service will host webinars focused on the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. These webinars will inform participants about the major eligibility and regulatory requirements of the program and provide detailed guidance on how to submit a successful grant application. Click here to learn more. If…Read More

Health care providers and practitioners in most states are well aware that most Medicaid and CHIP enrollees are members of managed care organizations (“MCOs”). As states have increasingly contracted with and relied on MCOs for their growing Medicaid and CHIP populations, including enrollees who need and use long-term care services, the Centers for Medicare &…Read More

Finance Committee Passes Bill Increasing Oversight of Medicare Audit Contractors On June 3, the Senate Finance Committee passed a bill that would increase oversight of Medicare audit contractors and streamline appeals functions to expedite the Medicare appeals process. The measure would require CMS to establish incentives for auditors to ensure accuracy and allow multiple pending appeals…Read More

Take a look at the FMLA forms you are now using and glance at the top right corner where you will see an OMB Control Number.  Just below that number, what does the expiration date say?  A safe bet is that the form you are using has expired!  But, all is not lost as the U….Read More

House Subcommittee Circulates Proposed 340B Legislation The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee recently released draft legislation that seeks to reform the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which requires drug manufacturers to offer drug discounts to eligible hospitals and other facilities for outpatient use. The measure proposes a number of material and cosmetic changes, including formally…Read More

Executive Summary On May 28, 2015, the Office of the Inspector General (“OIG”) published a mid-year update to its Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2015 Work Plan (“Updated Plan”).  The Updated Plan identifies certain new projects that OIG started since, and that did not appear in, the original FY 2015 Work Plan published in October 2014.  OIG has…Read More

With the signing of Senate Enrolled Act 554, Indiana has joined the ranks of states adopting a telehealth parity law. Effective July 1, 2015, third party payors will be obligated to reimburse providers for telemedicine services on the same basis they would have had the health care service been provided via a face-to-face consultation. If…Read More

OFCCP has posted new sample AAPs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in follow up to the substantially revised VEVRAA and Section 503 regulations that went into effect last year.  The samples show how covered federal contractors might satisfy their new regulatory requirements in their initial (aka “transition”) AAP year.  According to the OFCCP,…Read More

On May 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Kellog Brown & Root Service, Inv. et al. v. United States ex rel. Carter, 575 U.S. ____ (2015), Case No. 12-1497. Most of the commentary on the case centers around the Court’s decision on the Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act, but the…Read More