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.
Today is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
Today, May 4, is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. The commemoration focuses on the importance of integrating behavioral health and primary care for children, youth and young adults with mental and/or substance use disorders. The 2017 national theme is “Partnering for Help and Hope.”
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.
CMS sending out MIPS participation status letters
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reviewing claims and letting practices know which clinicians need to take part in MIPS, the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, part of the new Quality Payment Program.
CMS solicits stakeholder and public input for future QIO program phase
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently hosted a special session to gather information from stakeholders, including the public, to refine high priority areas for addressing emerging health and healthcare delivery issues within the next phase of the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program, known as the 12th Scope of Work (SoW), which is to be awarded in 2019.
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.
Final NURSE Corps technical assistance call is Tuesday
NURSE Corps Scholarship applicants are encouraged to participate an application technical assistance conference call on Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. CDT/1-3 p.m. MDT.
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.
