The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it would extend until June 3 the comment periods for CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) proposed interoperability and information blocking rules. CMS also announced that as a result of public comments, it will adjust the effective dates...
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expanding the types of durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetic, orthotics, supplies (DMEPOS) that are subject to Medicare prior authorization requirements on the basis of being “frequently subject to unnecessary utilization.” Specifically, CMS announced that it is adding to the Required Prior Authorization List: Seven power wheelchair c...
Legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives which – if enacted – would narrow the “Stark” law’s exceptions and have a direct impact on the services provided by physicians who self-refer for the performance of certain designated health services. The 2019 bill is similar to previous proposals. If enacted, the bill would strengthen the...
The Trump Administration’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2020 budget includes extensive health-policy provisions. Medicare, Value-Based, and Related Reforms The Administration estimates that its Medicare policy reforms would save approximately $811 billion over 10 years. The Administration states that these proposals are “designed to improve value-based systems of care, exercise fiscal integrity, prom...