On May 14, 2021, CMS published FAQs addressing questions that have been raised regarding the Interoperability and Patient Access final rule published May 2020.  CMS is careful to note that the FAQs “do not have the force and effect of…
Continue Reading CMS Issues First FAQs on the CMS Interoperability and Patient Access Rule

On November 13, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published a final rule, demonstrating long-awaited efforts to streamline the regulatory framework governing the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (“CHIP”) managed care programs.

According to CMS,…
Continue Reading 2020 Medicaid Managed Care Rule Summary

Earlier this month, OIG issued a Special Fraud Alert on Speaker Programs warning drug and device companies and health care providers that it has significant concerns about payments for “speaker programs.” Based on recent investigations and enforcement activity, the OIG…
Continue Reading OIG Sends a Special Fraud Alert on Speaker Programs

On October 29, 2020, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury (“the Departments”) issued a final rule requiring private-sector health insurers and self-insured health plans to disclose treatment prices and cost-sharing information with consumers.  The Transparency …
Continue Reading HHS Finalizes Health Plan Price Transparency Rule

On October 29, 2020, CMS issued the Home Health Prospective Payment System final rule [CMS-1730-F, CMS-1744-IFC, and CMS-5531-IFC], which permanently authorizes use of telecommunications technology as part of patient care under the Medicare home health benefit.[1]

The…
Continue Reading HHS Approves Telecommunications for Providing Medicare Home Health Services, on a Permanent Basis, Effective January 1, 2021

Last week, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)  published an Interim Final Rule: Information Blocking and the ONC Health IT Certification Program: Extension of Compliance Dates and Timeframes in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health …
Continue Reading ONC Issues Interim Final Rule Extending Compliance Dates for the Information Blocking and the ONC Health IT Certification Program

On August 20, 2020 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (85 Fed. Reg. 51397) on good practices for the release and maintenance of agency guidance documents. Comments must be posted by…
Continue Reading HHS Proposes a New Rule to Govern Release and Maintenance of Agency’s Guidance Documents