Author's posts
HHS must wipe out Medicare backlog by 2022, judge orders
A federal judge ordered HHS to eliminate its Medicare appeals backlog by 2022, giving them nearly two more years to catch up. The judge refused to reduce hospitals’ interest rates on outstanding appealed claims.
Anonymous donation will wipe out $250 million in medical debt
Not-for-profit organization RIP Medical Debt will forgive $250 million worth of medical debt for U.S. individuals and families through the year’s end, thanks to a donation from an anonymous couple.
Editorial: Drug price controls? A good idea, but don’t bet on it
Once the heat of the campaign dissipates, a majority in both parties will remain susceptible to their main argument that high prices are necessary to promote innovation.
Lawmakers target insulin rebates, pay-for-delay for future reform
The co-chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus want to shake up how insulin manufacturers use rebates, setting a potential template for legislative action on drug pricing next year.
OIG: FDA’s post-market cybersecurity policies and procedures are lacking
The FDA’s post-market medical device cybersecurity plans and procedures don’t go far enough to protect public health in the face of cyber-threats, according to an OIG audit. The FDA, in response, has agreed with the OIG’s recommendations.
Medicare Advantage insurers could be on the hook for billions from audit changes
The CMS wants to make a few dramatic changes to the way it audits Medicare Advantage plans for overpayments. That could leave insurers on the hook for billions of dollars.
CMS will pay for remote patient monitoring by home health agencies
The CMS finalized its plans to pay for remote patient monitoring. It also will increase Medicare payment for home health agencies by 2.2% for 2019, or $420 million.
Wisconsin can impose Medicaid work requirements, time limits, but not drug testing
The CMS on Wednesday gave Wisconsin permission to impose work requirements on beneficiaries. It’s the first state to receive a green light for the policy without expanding Medicaid. The agency rejected the state’s mandatory drug testing proposal.
Provider, insurer task force urges greater consumer input in health plan design
Health plan design principles issued by a multistakeholder group that includes Aetna and the Cleveland Clinic stress the need for engaging consumers to improve health outcomes but don’t address the growing use of high deductibles.
Healthcare industry publishes balance-billing guide as senators pose legislation
Major industry groups have released a consumer guide on surprise out-of-network bills as support mounts for federal curbs on the practice.
