The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its proposed rule to update the Medicare inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS) for FY 2020. CMS projects that IRF PPS payments would rise by $195 million under the proposed rule. Specifically, CMS proposes a 2.5% increase factor, based on an IRF market...

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...