The Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that its False Claims Act (FCA) recoveries for civil cases raked in approximately $2.7 billion for fiscal year 2023, representing a $450 million jump from 2022 recoveries. Of the $2.7 billion recovered by the
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Surprise Billing IDR Batched Dispute and Air-Ambulance Dispute Deadline Approaches
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Labor, and Department of the Treasury (collectively, “the departments”) recently confirmed that they will hold firm to the March 14, 2024 extended deadlines for initiating both new and previously initiated
SAMHSA Finalizes Major Update to Rules Governing Opioid Treatment Program Requirements
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has issued a final rule governing the use of medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). In the rule, the first major update in 20 years, the agency made
CMS Issues RFI for Medicare Advantage Data
Building on prior requests for information and an increased focus on Medicare Advantage oversight, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued another request for information (RFI) seeking input on data needed for Medicare Part C, also known
ONC Finalizes Information Sharing and Algorithm Transparency Rule
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has published its first final rule on Health Data, Technology and Interoperability. The rule, known as the HTI-1 rule, takes effect on February
Supreme Court Tackles Chevron And Could Change How Agencies Regulate The Health Care Industry
On January 17, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral argument in two cases—Relentless v. Dep’t of Commerce, and Loper Bright Enters. v. Raimondo—that could have far-reaching effects on administrative law jurisprudence and the
OIG Publishes First Advisory Opinions of the Year
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) kicked off the new year with four new advisory opinions covering retiring physicians, preferred hospital organization discounts for Medigap patients, and gift cards for the referral of potential
HHS Repeals Most of 2019 Health Care Conscience Protection Rule
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a final rule today governing federal protections for health care workers exercising their right to nondiscrimination on the basis of conscience objections.
The rule, entitled, Safeguarding the Rights of Conscience as
Senate Bill Would Create Drug Pricing Floor On Part D Reimbursement to Certain Pharmacies, Make Other Pharmacy Contracting Changes
On Nov. 8, 2023, the Senate Finance Committee voted 26-0 to approve the Better Mental Health, Lower Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act. Among its other provisions, the bill, for which final legislative text has not yet been released, would,
Artificial Intelligence at the White House and on the Hill: A look at implications for health care
Recent efforts by the federal government to develop a strategy for guiding (and regulating) the use of artificial intelligence (AI) have targeted multiple industry sectors, with healthcare at the forefront. For example, under the President’s recent executive order, in 2024