Susan Morse

Author's posts

Transcarent looks to overhaul self-insured market

Livongo founder Glen Tullman is the new CEO of Transcarent, a company that is looking to overhaul the employer-sponsored insurance business by creating a digital platform “overlay” to existing plans.
Tullman isn’t looking to replace traditional insuran…

Hospitals and insurers applaud Senate confirmation of a Xavier Becerra as HHS Secretary

The Senate on Thursday narrowly confirmed President Biden’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

Free COVID-19 testing opens up potential for fraud

One area ripe for fraud is in COVID-19 testing, according to a data expert who works with health plan sponsors.
Fraudulent testing providers are taking advantage of the emergency rule that says COVID-19 tests are covered, according to Eileen Flick, dir…

Providers get greater reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccine

Medicare is now paying higher reimbursement rates for hospitals, physicians, pharmacies and others to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

MedPAC recommends the continuation of telehealth for a limited time

Policymakers should temporarily continue some of the telehealth flexibilities allowed during the public health emergency for a limited time to gather more evidence about the impact of telehealth on care access, quality and program spending, the Medicar…

House approves $1.9 trillion rescue plan which now goes before Biden for his signature

The House has given final approval to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, sending it to President Joe Biden for his signature.

Office of Civil Rights extends comment period on changes to HIPAA privacy rule

The Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced a 45-day extension of the public comment period for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to modify the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA…

CDC relaxes COVID-19 restrictions as more Americans get vaccinated

As more Americans get vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has loosened social distancing restrictions for those fully vaccinated.
 
The CDC is allowing for indoor gatherings without mask wearing for fully vaccinated people.
 

$250 million in COVID-19 grants aim to vaccinate underserved populations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health is offering $250 million in grants to get COVID-19 vaccinations and safety information to underserved populations.
The health literacy grants will go to localities, which will …

Senate passes $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, without additional hospital funding

The Senate passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan on Saturday, with amendments, the biggest being no plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
The American Rescue Plan also doesn’t include relief funding for hospitals or loan forgiveness…