Those who are older, lower income, minorities and have chronic conditions are at higher risk for COVID-19.
On June 22, CMS released sought-after Medicare data (Jan 1 to May 16) on beneficiaries’ COVID-19 outcomes that found that more than...CMS Rules
Earlier this month, HHS repealed protections for transgender individuals seeking medical care and three days later, the United States Supreme Court delivered a ruling defending LGBT people from discrimination in the workplace under Title VII.
These two major changes in how the law impacts care for sexual and reproductive health...CMS Rules
The announcement on Friday, June 19, CMS announced that MA plans must continue not to charge cost sharing (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) or apply prior authorization or other utilization management requirements for COVID-19 tests and testing-related services.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...CMS Rules
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recommends re-opening facilities to provide non-emergent, non-COVID-19 healthcare.
The Trump administration said Monday that healthcare facilities in states that have seen enough of a decline in COVID-19 cases to reach the Phase II criteria for reopening their economies should begin...CMS Rules
In response to the coronavirus, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) granted a special enrollment period (SEP) for Medicare beneficiaries through the end of June, giving Part D, Medicare Advantage and Medigap insurers an additional sales window. The SEP applies to those who were unable to enroll due to the pandemic....CMS Rules
Proposing a rule to amend risk adjustment methodology for exchange plans, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) aims to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)-era program. The agency seeks to refine the program's error rate calculation and risk adjustment data validation (HHS-RADV)...CMS Rules
Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are asking for more support from the Trump administration amid the pandemic. ACOs want more time to decide on whether to voluntarily exit the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) as coronavirus-related financial losses and balance sheet deficits pile up.
With payments tied to spending and...CMS Rules
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized requirements seeking to increase access to telehealth for seniors in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The changes made to MA and Medicare Part D also expand supplemental benefit options for beneficiaries with chronic diseases.
CMS will grant MA plans more flexibility to...CMS Rules
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final payment notice for 2021 last week as the Trump administration finalized a string of regulatory changes to Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. The agency's rule outlines ACA plan regulations that impact qualified health plans (QHP) for the 2021 coverage...CMS Rules
Along with an increase to Medicare inpatient payment rates, a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule released on Monday is suggesting price transparency requirements that include hospitals disclosing median payer-specific rates negotiated with Medicare Advantage organizations and third-party payers.
CMS is...CMS Rules
President Trump announced the formation of an independent commission last week to address the troubling number of coronavirus cases in nursing homes across the country. The Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the nursing home response to the pandemic.
The...CMS Rules
The Trump Administration is rolling out another unprecedented blanket waiver from CMS to expand Telehealth provider eligibility, adding to an array of temporary waivers and new rules established to aid the healthcare system in bypassing significant red tape to provide Americans the services they need amid the outbreak.
An...CMS Rules
Providers are grappling with how to provide care for a virus with a myriad of uncertainties still looming. Several states are moving to protect healthcare facilities from lawsuits related to coronavirus care, including Arizona.
The coronavirus is wreaking havoc on long-term care facilities where vulnerable populations live in...CMS Rules
The spread of coronavirus in nursing homes has yielded disturbing death tolls among residents and a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms people infected with the virus are contributing to the spread without displaying any symptoms.
The study concludes that "rapid and...CMS Rules
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed an increase in 2021 Medicare payments to inpatient rehab facilities (IFRs) by $270 million. The proposal also included a suggested 5% cap on wage index decreases.
Medicare spent approximately $8 billion on IRF care for beneficiaries -...CMS Rules
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is expanding its accelerated and advanced payment program for Medicare providers to support hospitals and doctors on the front lines of the rapidly spreading, global pandemic.
Taking advantage of the recently established Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security...CMS Rules
The proposed Medicaid rule would have scrutinized eligibility determinations in the Medicaid program. Scheduled for publication in April, the policy was withdrawn Tuesday, March 24 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The proposed rule was meant to strengthen the integrity of the Medicaid eligibility determination...CMS Rules
Hospitals and providers participating in Medicare quality value-based purchasing programs received unprecedented relief on Sunday from a Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement that relaxes reporting requirements and extends data submission deadlines.
The action is part of the Trump Administration's response...CMS Rules
Last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released a Request for Information as it sought comments for its Oncology Care First (OCF) proposal, a voluntary model open to physician groups and hospital outpatient departments offering two payment mechanisms. Now it is considering the addition of clinical laboratory...CMS Rules
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rate increase of less than 1 percent on 2021 baseline payments for insurers managing Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The proposal pales in comparison to the more than 2.5 percent increase plans saw this year, but the rate is set to finalize in April.
An...
