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CMS to increase oversight of Medicaid enrollment, managed-care plans
The CMS will take a closer look at Medicaid managed-care plans to ensure they are adhering to medical loss ratio standards. The agency will also increase audits of who states enroll in Medicaid.
CDC says more routine HIV screening would reduce new infections
About half of individuals considered to be at high risk for contracting HIV reported they were not offered testing by their physicians during a clinical visit, which experts say has hindered efforts to reduce the number of new infections.
Senate pushes for stronger drug-pricing policy than Trump proposal
The Senate Finance Committee’s first formal hearing on drug prices with HHS Secretary Alex Azar failed to firm up policy goals even as heightened congressional scrutiny puts drugmakers on edge.
VA’s Cerner EHR implementation requires close oversight, lawmakers say
Critics on the Hill worry that the VA, with its leadership in limbo, lacks the oversight and transparency necessary to succeed in its $16 billion EHR overhaul.
University Hospitals is hitting mark with proton therapy
While some proton therapy centers across the country have reportedly struggled to stay profitable, officials at University Hospitals say they’ve found the “sweet spot” two years after the Cleveland-based health system opened its own $30 million…
Amid backlash, Blue Cross scales back rate cuts for autism treatment
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois blinked after health care providers and parents of autistic children complained about proposed cuts in reimbursement rates for coverage of in-home counseling.
Senate appropriators boost funds for rural telehealth, opioid epidemic
Senate health appropriators are proposing a $2.3 billion hike to HHS’ funding this year,including $1.5 billion in flexible grants for states battling the opioid epidemic. The bill also proposes expanding rural telehealth programs.
Value-based care is the buzz word at HFMA’s annual conference
Modern Healthcare reporter Tara Bannow is attending the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s annual conference in Las Vegas this week, an annual gathering of health system financial leaders and vendors who provide products such as revenue…
Prime Healthcare can challenge Medicare Advantage contracts with Humana, judge rules
Prime Healthcare can challenge Humana’s alleged underpayment for healthcare services delivered to Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, a federal court judge said in a potentially precedent-setting ruling.
N.Y. startup raises $36M for ‘patient-friendly billing’ business
Cedar’s software helps billing departments generate easier-to-read bills that explain to customers what they are paying for. The software also enables billing departments to chat with patients online.
