Category: Healthcare Finance News

COVID-19 telehealth waivers won’t last forever, but permanent regulatory changes are afoot

Reimbursement levels will go back to pre-coronavirus levels when the pandemic ends, but Congress may be pressured to make lasting change.

Psychiatrists ‘pleasantly surprised’ with transition to telemedicine

Woman using laptop.
Though mental health professionals say they’re mostly pleased with the rapid shift to phone or video services, most plan to return to in-person care once the dangers from COVID-19 have subsided.

AHIP recommends insurers give 90-day grace period for pre-authorized procedures

America’s Health Insurance Plans is also promoting the continued widespread adoption and use of telemedicine.

Hospitals begin road to recovery

Phases 2 and 3 of vaccine clinical trials are expected by early summer and their success will be known by early winter, Fauci says.

Change Healthcare gives away APIs to help health plans comply with CMS rules

The tools could help payers manage the demands of standards-based interoperability challenges, and also offer security, identity management and consent management.

How population health gaps can be filled using analytics

Potential benefits to robust analytics and real-time reporting capabilities include more reimbursement dollars and better patient care.

Hardin Memorial Health improved communications in its ED, and patient satisfaction is soaring

In addition to an expanded ED, the hospital knew it had to improve interstaff communications to bolster patient care.

Optum expands the number of behavioral telehealth providers

By the end of March, 33% of behavioral health claims for Optum members were for a telehealth visit, compared to 2% prior to COVID-19.

FCC grants GE Healthcare waiver to expedite medical equipment from new suppliers during COVID-19 pandemic

The action is meant to enable GE to overcome supply chain disruptions as it addresses the surge in demand for critical equipment.

CMS proposes 1.6% inpatient increase and new CAR-T cell therapy payment

Other proposed changes to the inpatient prospective payment system would speed approval of new technology add-on payments for antimicrobials.