Public Health Emergency Declaration Extended On April 13, 2022, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services announced the extension of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) status due to COVID-19. The statement reads that that a public health emergency exists and has existed nationwide since January 27, 2020. The PHE status allows CMS...
2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule Released On April 18, 2022, CMS released a proposed rule for the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). In addition to annual policies that promote Medicare payment accuracy and hospital stability, the fiscal year (FY) 2023 IPPS rule includes measures related to payment stability for hospitals, a policy that...
Federal Report Finds Inappropriate Denials From Medicare Advantage Plans Private Medicare Advantage plans have grown considerably over the years, with enrollment more than doubling in the past 10 years. Currently, they provide benefits to some 28 million older Americans. However, as detailed in an April 28 New York Times article, a recent report from federal...
Read the Winter 2022 Issue of “Vertebral Columns” In this issue of Vertebral Columns, contributors provide updates on various techniques and tools to enhance patient outcomes. First, the editorial makes the case for transitioning cases to ambulatory surgical centers. Additional articles highlight endoscopic spine surgery, address osteoporosis in the spine, and review complications...