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. 

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HIMSS18: Alpha II’s Tim Mills on what providers will soon want from RCM software

This year, providers may be struggling with meeting deadlines on reporting for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and avoiding a negative payment adjustment. In a few years, however, they’ll expect solutions to more complicated issues surrounding value-based reimbursement, according to Tim Mills, chief growth officer at revenue cycle, coding and billing software company Alpha II.

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Senators ask what’s holding up price transparency in healthcare

A group of U.S. senators has sent a letter to dozens of healthcare industry groups asking for more information on what price and quality information is available to consumers and what regulations may be getting in the way of greater price transparency.

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Association health plans could increase instability on ACA markets

The Trump administration’s plans to expand the availability of association health plans could siphon up to 4.3 million people from the individual and small group insurance markets over the next five years, raising premiums on those who remain in plans which are compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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MGMA: Medical groups opposed to mandatory APMs

A large majority of medical group professionals responding to a poll from the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) was opposed to mandatory participation in alternative payment models in Medicare, a policy CMS has been moving away from under President Donald Trump.

Rhode Island’s Lifespan in talks for collaboration with Partners HealthCare, Care New England

The previously proposed merger between Boston’s Partners Healthcare and Care New England, one of the largest systems in Rhode Island, may have a third partner: Lifespan, the operator of Rhode Island Hospital.

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New opioid legislation includes 3-day limit on initial prescriptions

A group of senators has introduced a new bill aimed at fighting opioid abuse and addiction, including limits on initial prescriptions for acute pain and an expanded role for non-physician practitioners in prescribing buprenorphine.

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Why MIPS should be replaced

In an article for Health Affairs, a group of fellows at the Brookings Institution made the case for replacing the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) with “stronger incentives” to move into alternative payment models (APMs).

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20 states sue to end ACA after mandate repeal

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s individual mandate. With the mandate’s penalty now eliminated under President Donald Trump, 20 states are using the earlier ruling as the basis for a new lawsuit seeking to “effectively repeal Obamacare.”

Around the web

The FTC alleges that pharmacy benefit managers have set up a system where they get rich, while patients are forced to pay rising insulin costs. The agency also called out drug manufacturers such as Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk, saying their own actions have raised serious concerns.

In the post-COVID era, wages for permanent RNs are rising, and wages for travelers are decreasing. A new report tracked these trends and more. 

Two medical device companies have announced a transaction that could shake up the U.S. electrophysiology market. 

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