Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies.

Boston Medical Center installs solar panels to pay patients’ electric bills
A program dubbed the Clean Power Prescription sends half the energy generated by 519 solar panels on the hospital's roof back to patients, in the form of energy credits.
4 points crucial to the nimble regulation of GenAI
With generative AI coming into its own, AI regulators must avoid relying too much on principles of risk management—and not enough on those of uncertainty management.
FDA recalls infant incubators due to risk of door falling off
A loose screw on the Giraffe OmniBed is to blame. With updated use instructions and repairs, the incubators are safe to use.
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT
CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.
Kentucky AG launches criminal probe after conscious man nearly has organs harvested
Three years ago Anthony Hoover was declared brain dead—until he woke up on the operating room table, moments before his organs were removed. His story has spurred a criminal investigation by Kentucky's attorney general.

Survey says strong optimism for healthcare M&A in 2019

Healthcare M&A isn’t expected to slow down next year, according to a survey of healthcare executives by Capital One.

November 5, 2018

CMS cuts hospital outpatient rates in final rule

CMS plans to cut $380 million in 2019 by establishing site-neutral payments to hospitals. The change, which was outlined in CMS’ Outpatient Prospective Payment System final rule on Friday, will lower out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries but also reduce payments for hospital-owned outpatient settings.

November 2, 2018

CMS finalizes physician fee schedule, delaying controversial coding change

CMS finalized the Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program, delaying a controversial coding change that would have resulted in a payment cut for doctors.

November 2, 2018

CMS finalizes new payment model for home health, boosts reimbursements for 2019

CMS finalized the 2019 home health prospective payment system, cementing a new payment model for the post-acute care space in 2020 and increasing payments for 2019.

November 1, 2018

FDA clears 23andMe genetic testing to market on drug metabolism

The FDA will allow genetic testing company 23andMe to market personal genome reports as a direct-to-consumer test of a person’s ability to metabolize some medications to help inform discussions with healthcare providers.

November 1, 2018

Maine health systems to combine into $3B entity

The hospital and other healthcare provider members of MaineHealth in Portland, Maine, will combine into one nonprofit entity beginning Jan. 1.

October 31, 2018

38% of Americans unaware ACA is still in effect

A large chunk of the American population doesn’t know when the open enrollment period is to purchase healthcare insurance, according to a recent study by insuranceQuotes. And recent political moves have contributed to confusion among Americans.

October 30, 2018

$5.6B acquisition of LifePoint Health approved by shareholders

A $5.6 billion merger between LifePoint Health and RCCH Healthcare Partners, which is owned by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, has been approved by LifePoint’s shareholders.

October 30, 2018

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

4 points crucial to the nimble regulation of GenAI

With generative AI coming into its own, AI regulators must avoid relying too much on principles of risk management—and not enough on those of uncertainty management.

Cardiovascular Business

Q&A: Why are cardiovascular devices involved in so many recalls? FDA policies may be to blame

Cardiovascular devices are more likely to be in a Class I recall than any other device type. The FDA's approval process appears to be at least partially responsible, though the agency is working to make some serious changes. We spoke to a researcher who has been tracking these data for years to learn more.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologist compensation still rising, especially in invasive and interventional cardiology

Updated compensation data includes good news for multiple subspecialties. The new report also examines private equity's impact on employment models and how much male cardiologists earn compared to females.