CMS holds call on the emergency preparedness rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently held a call on the emergency preparedness rule. The implementation date of the rule is Nov. 15, 2017.
CMS issues proposed payment rule for Medicare LTCH PPS
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a display copy of the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2018 proposed payment rule for the Medicare Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS). The proposed rule reflects the annual update to the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) LTCH payment rates and policies.
IPPS and IPF rule proposes changes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a display copy of the federal fiscal year 2018 proposed payment rule for the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). Included with the IPPS proposed rule are proposed changes to the Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Quality Reporting (IPFQR) Program.
AHCA amendment gives repeal-and-replace legislation new life
A new amendment to a Republican bill aimed at repealing and replacing parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has given the legislation new life. The amendment offered by Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-New Jersey) appears to have won support from members of the conservative Freedom Caucus, but it’s unclear how moderate Republicans will react to the changes and whether the bill can garner the 216 votes needed for House passage.
Trump nominates assistant secretaries for health, mental health and substance abuse
President Donald Trump has submitted nominations for an assistant secretary for health and an assistant secretary for mental health and substance abuse at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
CMS seeking applications for Rural Community Hospital Demonstration extension
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is encouraging rural hospitals offering 24-hour emergency care services with fewer than 51 acute care inpatient beds to apply for the five-year extension of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration.
GOP planning second try at ACA repeal this week
Republican House members appear to be ready to take another stab at repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) when they return from a two-week recess next week.
Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) satisfaction indicator survey is live
The 2017 Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) satisfaction indicator survey is live. Federal law requires that provider satisfaction be a performance standard for the work of MACs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the MAC Satisfaction Indicator (MSI) to measure provider satisfaction with the MACs from which they receive services.
Veterans Choice Program extended
President Donald Trump has signed legislation (S. 544) extending the Veterans Choice Program, which had been set to expire in August. The AHA says the legislation allows the program to access nearly $1 billion remaining from its initial emergency appropriation, makes the Department of Veterans Affairs the primary payer under the program and allows the agency to share certain medical records with community providers.
Online tool offers comparison data on VA clinic wait times, hospital quality
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has released an online tool providing average wait times for primary and specialty care appointments at specific VA clinics.
The tool provides data related to how long patients are waiting to be seen in their VA facility and how veterans describe their experiences scheduling primary and specialty care.
