Tag: HHS
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the distribution of additional relief funds from the Provider Relief Fund to eligible Medicaid and Children’s ...
As part of the ongoing White House Coronavirus Task Force efforts, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other agencies have issued several resource documents, refocused activities related to state survey agencies and accrediting o...
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released its semiannual report to Congress on June 1, 2020. In the document, the OIG reported on its COVID-19 pandemic activities. By mid-March, OIG had developed a d...
As part of the ongoing White House Coronavirus Task Force efforts, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other agencies have issued several resource documents, refocused activities related to state survey agencies and accrediting o...
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has again extended the deadline for providers to accept the Terms and Conditions for Provider Relief Fund payments. Eligible providers now have 90 days from the date they received the payment to accep...
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently distributed $4.9 billion to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and $500 million to the Indian Health Service (IHS) from the Provider Relief Fund. The $4.9 billion in funding for SNFs is the m...
The Department of Health and human Services (HHS), Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published the National Health Quality Roadmap. This new guidance is in response to President Trump’s Executive Order (EO),
As part of the ongoing White House Coronavirus Task Force efforts, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other agencies have issued several resource documents, refocused activities related to state survey agencies and accrediting o...
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have released new data providing additional details in how federal financial supports have been distributed to providers throughout the country...
As part of the ongoing White House Coronavirus Task Force efforts, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other agencies have issued several resource documents, refocused activities related to state survey agencies and accrediting o...
On May 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced additional funding details for two previously announced distributions from the Provider Relief Fund: hospitals in areas heavily affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pa...
On Friday, April 24, 2020, the fourth Coronavirus (COVID-19) stimulus bill, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266), was signed into law. It provides an additional $310 billion for small business loans available thr...
On April 26, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is suspending its Advance Payment Program to Part B suppliers effective immediately. CMS will not be accepting any new applications for the Advance Payment Program an...
On April 22, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the release of an additional $40.4 billion from the $100 billion from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (the Fund) in four targeted areas to be distribu...
On April 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded nearly $165 million to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in rural communities. These investments will support...
On April 21, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services announced delays to the implementation of certain provisions of the interoperability final rules released on March 9, 2020, in response to COVID-19. A series of announcements were release...
Leveraging the use of telehealth technologies has become a critical component of ensuring beneficiaries receive necessary care while protecting both healthcare workers and patients from COVID-19. This past week there have been a number of telehealth-...
On April 10, 2020, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began distributing $30 billion from the $100 billion Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) providers. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, an...
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Friday, April 3, 2020, during the daily briefing of the White House Coronavirus Task Force that Administration’s current plan is to use a portion of the $100 billion CARES Act funding to...
On April 6, 2020, the Office of the Inspector of General (OIG), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released findings from a survey of hospitals from March 23-27, 2020 to assess the challenges facing hospitals.
COVID-19 Activities and Actions Update
Agencies Release Data Detailing the Distribution of COVID-19 Support Funds
COVID-19 Activities and Actions Update
HHS Distributes $22B to Hotspots and Rural Providers
Emergency Fund and Paycheck Protection Program Receive Additional Funding Through Fourth COVID Legislation
CMS Suspends the Advance Payment Program for Part B Suppliers
Update on HHS Emergency Fund Distribution
Rural Providers Receive Nearly $165 Million in CARES Funding
HHS Delays Implementation of Interoperability Rules in Response to COVID-19
Telehealth Roundup: Resources, Flexibilities and Funding Opportunities
HHS Distributes $30 Billion to FFS Medicare Providers
HHS Announces Plan to Use $1 billion from CARES Act Funding to Treat Uninsured COVID-19 Patients
OIG Survey Finds Hospitals Experiencing Shortages of Testing Supplies and PPE
On March 29, 2020, the Trump Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to hospitals across the country requesting immediate and daily reporting of COVID-19 testing data from in-house laboratories. In the le...
On March 17, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other agencies released further guidance on the use of telehealth during the coronavirus (COVID-19) national emergency. The guidance implements provisions of the Coronavirus ...
The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Commission (PTAC) published two new reports evaluating the models that PTAC reviewed and submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for consideration. PTAC is currently scheduled to ...
The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) has updated the agenda for the scheduled March 16 public meeting. In addition to reviewing three proposed physician payment models, the Committee will also discuss previous propo...
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) posted the agenda for their next public meeting scheduled for February 27, 2020. MACPAC staff is scheduled to present results from MACPAC contracted research on state strategies to promote...
Public Meeting The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) posted the agenda and opened registration for the March 16 public meeting. During this meeting, the Committee will consider and vote on three previously su...
White House Releases FY2021 Budget Proposal Requesting $94.5 Billion in HHS Discretionary Spending On February 10, 2020, the White House released its $4.8 trillion FY 2021 budget proposal. The budget outlines the Administrati...
Technology companies and other stakeholders submitted a letter urging the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to finalize new rules creating additional opportunities for da...
On Thursday, January 16, Shannon Sartin announced in a blog post that she has been hired as the new Chief Technology Officer at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) where she will help oversee technology. Previously, Sa...
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the draft 2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan for public comment. Comments are due on March 18, 2020. The draft plan outlines federal health information technology (heal...
On January 6, 2020, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Brad Smith will serve as the Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) a...
The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) submitted a new report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommending the further development and implementation of the “ACCESS Telemedicine: An Alternative H...
On October 9, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released regulations to update Stark and Anti-Kickback regulations to promote the implementation of value-based care. Comments are due December 31, 2019.
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) established the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) to review and assess physician-focused payment models (PFPMs) based on stakeholder proposals submitte...
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Rural Health Task Force are seeking information about access to health care in rural communities. Responses are to be emailed to hrsacommen...
The Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (LAN) launched the first chapter in a new educational video series covering select content from the Roadmap for Driving High Performance in Alternative Payment Models (APM). Click here to...
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking 15 industry stakeholders to join a summit responsible for drafting the Health Quality Roadmap required by President Trump’s recent Executive Order on health care transparency. The purp...
The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) published two reports identifying significant vulnerabilities in the Medicare hospice benefit that are harming beneficiaries. The report analyzed auditing data from 201...
The Trump administration cannot force drug manufacturers to disclose prices in their pharmaceutical ads to consumers, a federal judge ruled Monday....
On June 24, President Trump signed the executive order “Improving Price and Quality Transparency in American Health Care to Put Patients First.” The executive order, which is consistent with previous Administration policies and priorities, focuse...
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking seven individuals to serve on the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality beginning with the spring 2020 meeting. AHRQ produces evidence to make health care safer ...
The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) submitted a combined report to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) containing comments and recommendations on two proposals related to wound care d...
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) held site visits and interviews at six accountable care organizations (ACOs) – four participating in the Next Generation ACO model and two in the Medicare Shared Savings Program – to evaluate how ACOs are usi...
Registration Open for Public Meeting on June 17 The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) recently opened registration for a public meeting on June 17, 2019. Registration and agenda information are available here...
On May 17, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released its report Medicaid Demonstrations: Approvals of Major Changes Need Increased Transparency. Medicaid demonstrations, established through the Section 1115 waiver...
The Department of Health and Human Services extended the comment period for two proposed interoperability rules to June 3, a 30-day extension from the original May 3 deadline. Many industry and stakeholder groups had requested the extension due to th...
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) met on April 4 to 5, 2019, in Washington, DC. MedPAC discussed a number of innovation and quality topics at this meeting.
The Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (LAN) will host a webinar on April 3, 2019, at 11:30 am ET for its soon-to-be launched Roadmap for Driving High Performance in Alternative Payment Models (APMs). The Roadmap is an interactive, web...
On March 13, 2019, more than 70 members joined Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Will Hurd (R-TX) in sending a letter to Secretary and of Health and Human Services Alex Azar expressing opposition to the CMS proposed rule changing the six protect...
The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) submitted a report to the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with its recommendation for the Making Accountable Sustainable Oncology Networks (MASO...
The US Department of Health and Human Services and its Office of the Inspector General released a proposed rule building on the Administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug prices. The proposal would update the discount safe harbor in the An...
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The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) released updated submission guidelines. Established by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), PTAC reviews proposals submitted by the public on physician payme...
The Department of Health and Human Services released a request for information (RFI) about how Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules could be modified to further the Secretary’s goal of promoting coordinated care. The ...
The US Department of Health and Humans Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced the winners of the Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL) Data Challenge. Winning submissions to the cha...
The Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Treasury and the Department of Labor released a report on “Reforming America’s Healthcare System Through Choice and Competition.” The report identifies four areas where f...
On December 30, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Measures Under Consideration (MUC) list for 2018. The pre-rulemaking process requires that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) make publicly avai...
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan announced the core participants in the Deputy Secretary’s Innovation and Investment Summit (DSIIS). The first meeting is December 18, 2018. DSIIS will be a yearlong colla...
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Reports to the Secretary The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) transmitted four reports to the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services contai...
The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released a request for information (RFI) regarding provider and plan approaches to improve care for Medicare beneficiaries with social risk factors. The Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care T...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking recommendations for private sector leaders to participate in the “Deputy Secretary’s Innovation and Investment Summit” (DSIIS) working group, a yearlong collaboration between inn...
The National Quality Forum (NQF) released the following rural health report: A Core Set of Rural-Relevant Measures and Improving Access to Care. This report highlights the work of the NQF-convened Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) workgroup rega...
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) published a request for information (RFI) seeking stakeholder input on potential new safe harbors to the Anti-Kickback Statute and exceptions to the beneficiary inducement prohibition in the Civil Monetary Penalt...
The Health Care Payment Learning & Action Network (LAN) is hosting their 2018 Fall Summit on Monday, October 22 at the Sheraton Tysons Hotel in Tysons, VA. Adam Boehler, Deputy Administrator for Innovation & Quality for the Centers for Medic...
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On June 13, 2018, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Alex Azar, responded to recommendations from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) on 12 proposed payment models. The Secretary did not commit to im...
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is currently accepting letters of nomination and resumes for appointments to the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC). Nominations should be submitted by July 20, 2018. The...
The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) submitted three reports containing recommendations on four models. These payment models were deliberated and voted on at PTAC’s March 2018 public meeting: Patient and ...
JIRA is now open to collect candidate measures for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2018 Measures under Consideration (MUC) List. Each year the JIRA Issues Tracking System is open to receive candidate measures from measure develop...
On Monday December 11, the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) filed a legal challenge to CMS’s implementation of the revised Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) required under Section 216 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act ...
PTAC Solicits Comments on Two New Proposals The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) is soliciting comments until November 20, 2017 on two new physician-focused payment models (PFPMs):
In a March letter to Governors, Depart of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and newly confirmed Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Director Seema Verma highlighted some of the “key areas” they will look to address in the ...
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