CMS Post-performance Information From the 2019 Quality Payment Program As of June 2021, the CMS has made available newly added Quality Payment Program (QPP) performance information for physicians, clinicians, groups, and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to the Doctors and Clinicians section of Medicare Care Compare and in the Provider Data Catalog (PDC). CMS is required to report eligible...

Bill Introduced in Congress to Limit Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization On May 21, 2021, House Bill 3173 (117th Congress), which seeks to cut red tape on prior authorizations in Medicare was introduced. The bill would require Medicare Advantage plans to report approval and denial rates. The bill was introduced by Representative Larry Buchon, MD, and...

CMS Inspector General Find Millions in Overpayment to Anthem Health Care On May 24, 2021, CMS’ Inspector General announced a finding that health insurer Anthem failed to comply with some federal coding requirements, resulting in overpayments to Anthem of $3.47 million.  Under the Medicare Advantage program, CMS makes monthly payments to organizations according to a...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announces Several New Appointments On May 25, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced 15 new appointments: 1. Steve Cha, MD, was named counselor to the secretary, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality/Food and Drug Administration/National Institutes of Health. 2. Melanie Fontes Rainer was named...