The Idaho Department of Insurance has announced it will allow insurers to sell plans which don’t comply with regulations established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which could mean the return of plans that deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, charge higher premiums based on health status and place lifetime or annual caps on benefits.

CMS has released its proposed rule covering rates in Medicare Advantage (MA) and changes to Medicare Part D for 2019, expanding the definition of health-related supplemental benefits and putting limits on opioid prescriptions for beneficiaries.

Between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, health systems should expect pharmaceutical prices to jump up by 7.35 percent, a slightly lower increase than in recent years as fewer products see “exorbitant” price hikes and costs moderate for high-priced hepatitis C drugs.

The merger of Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance (MSHA) cleared its last hurdle on Jan. 31, as the Tennessee Department of Health issued the Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) allowing the deal to be completed.

Assessing value-based care will require streamlining Medicare regulations across its different programs, defining value and measuring for it, according to the American Medical Group Association (AMGA).

Healthcare policy was not the main focus of President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address, though the Jan. 30 speech did include mentions of lowering prescription drug prices, fighting opioid addiction and an endorsement of “right-to-try” legislation being considered by Congress.

The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate to have health insurance was repealed through the tax cut legislation signed into law late in 2017—but according to a new poll from Kaiser Family Foundation, most Americans either weren’t sure it was repealed or incorrectly believe it remains in place.

Less than two weeks after Kentucky became the first state approved to implement work requirements for its “able-bodied” Medicaid beneficiaries, a lawsuit has been filed against HHS and CMS alleging the plan is “an abuse” of the agencies’ regulatory powers.