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. 

Uninsured rate hits record low, but post-ACA gains are slowing

The number of people without health insurance fell to an all-time low of 8.6 percent in the first quarter of 2016, according to new data from the CDC, but the gains in insurance enrollment caused by the Affordable Care Act appear to be slowing down.

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House members ask HHS to ‘consider flexibilities’ on MACRA start date

Leaders on two powerful House committees encouraged HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell to “consider flexibilities” in implementing the major changes to physician payment required by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).

AMGA Calls for Enhanced Care Coordination in its Comments on Proposed CY 2017 Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rules

Alexandria, VA –AMGA today submitted written comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) CY 2017 Physician Fee Schedule and the CY 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rules.

Pediatricians told not to use nasal flu vaccine this year

Ahead of flu season, the American Academy of Pediatrics has released its recommendations for using vaccines and antiviral medications for flu prevention, and nasal spray vaccines aren’t part of its plan.

Fresenius sued by Kentucky over marketing of kidney dialysis product

The nation’s largest provider of kidney dialysis and renal care products is being sued by the state of Kentucky, alleging deceptive marketing of its GranuFlo blood screening product.

Interest groups not satisfied with proposed risk adjustment changes

CMS’s proposals to change risk adjustment calculations for exchange plans for 2018 would come too late, according to America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and Consumers for Health Options, Insurance Coverage in Exchanges in States (CHOICES).

‘Simple choice plans’ will be available for 2017 exchange customers

Insurance coverage with standardized deductibles, out-of-pocket spending limits and co-pays will be available during the next open enrollment period for health insurance marketplaces, according to Kaiser Health News.

CMS has plan to end dual enrollment in exchange plans and Medicare

CMS has told members of Congress it will contact customers who are enrolled in both Medicare and a subsidized insurance plan purchased through the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges, and tell them to leave their exchange plan immediately.

Around the web

Stryker, a global medtech company based out of Michigan, has kicked off 2025 with a bit of excitement. The company says Inari’s peripheral vascular portfolio is highly complementary to its own neurovascular portfolio.

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.

Mark Isenberg, executive vice president of Zotec Partners, discusses key developments that will reshape the specialty this year.