Senate tinkers with AHCA amendments prior to the CBO score
Next week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) will release its score for the American Health Care Act (AHCA, H.R. 1628), which was passed by the House on May 4. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has created a 13-person Republican working group on health care, which is drafting a Senate version of the health care bill.
International cyberattack hits health care organizations
The global cyberattack that locked providers out of patient records and forced affected hospitals to divert urgent care patients provides an important reminder for facilities to check up on their cyber security systems.
CMS releases rule for Medicare IRF Prospective Payment System
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on May 3 released the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2018 proposed payment rule for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Prospective Payment System (PPS). The proposed rule reflects the annual update to the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) IRF payment rates and policies.
Open Payments 2016 review and dispute period ends May 15
The American Hospital Association (AHA) says physicians and teaching hospitals may review and dispute 2016 payments reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments program through May 15.
AHCA moves to the Senate
The Senate began work this week on the House version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) as scoring from the congressional budget office (CBO) is sought. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has appointed a working group that will overhaul most, or all of the House version of the bill.
CMS delays implementation of HCBS settings final rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a letter announcing a delay in the implementation for the HCBS rule standards, extending the deadline to March 17, 2022. We have been working with LeadingAge to advocate for the delay since the rule was released.
LeadingAge launches campaign to save HUD elderly housing program
LeadingAge on Monday launched a new campaign aimed at saving the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program. LeadingAge says a large and rapidly expanding population of low-income older adults faces the challenge of finding affordable, safe housing that can accommodate changing needs as they grow older.
Health care industry adds 19,500 jobs in April
New labor statistics show the health care industry added 19,500 jobs in April. The seasonally adjusted numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics show an increase of 4,200 jobs for hospitals and an increase of 1,100 jobs in nursing and residential care facilities from March.
House passes bill that repeals, replaces parts of ACA
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a retooled version of a bill aimed at repealing and replacing parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), sending the legislation to an uncertain future in the Senate. The House approved the American Health Care Act (AHCA) by a slim 217-213 margin. A timeline for consideration by the Senate is undetermined.
DSS mailing out Disproportionate Share Payment surveys to inpatient hospitals
The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) is mailing out Disproportionate Share Payment surveys to inpatient hospitals. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the final Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) audit and reporting rule in the Federal Register on December 19, 2008.
