HHS Begins Phase 3 COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund Distribution
​The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the completed review of the Phase 3 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) applications...
COVID-19 Provisions in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act
Congress passed the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, President Trump signed the bill on December 27, 2020. The legislation includes $1.4 trillion in funding for...
Medicare Provisions in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act
​President Trump signed the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act on December 27, 2020 after it was passed by Congress. The bill includes $1.4 trillion in...
Congress Passes Surprise Medical Billing Legislation
​Beginning January 1, 2022, patients will be protected from surprise medical bills that could arise from out-of-network emergency care, certain ancillary services provided by...
HRSA Announces $1 Million in Prizes for Promoting Pediatric Primary Prevention Challenge
Recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that fewer children received immunizations in 2020 compared to previous years because of the COVID-19...
Congress makes New Rural Emergency Hospital Designation
The Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2021 included legislation establishing a rural emergency hospital (REH) designation under the Medicare program. The new designation will allow existing...
HHS Announces $22 Billion to Support Covid-19 Battle
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced two upcoming actions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide more...
CMS Issues Roadmap for States to Address Social Determinants of Health
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance to states regarding strategies that address social determinants of health (SDOH) in the Medicaid CHIP...
HHS Requests Hospital Data on Vaccinations for Health Care Personnel and Patients
​The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently updated its guidance to hospitals on the reporting of COVID-19-related data. Specifically, HHS requests that hospitals report...
CMS Announces Intent to Expand Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model
​​The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model has been certified for expansion beginning in Calendar...
