Medicare Plan Finder Gets an Upgrade for the First Time in a Decade
For the first time in a decade, CMS launched a modernized and redesigned Medicare Plan Finder. The Medicare Plan Finder, the most used tool on…
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Medicare OPPS and ASC Payment System CY 2020 Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing historic changes as a result of President Trump’s recent Executive Order on price and quality transparency that lays the foundation for a patient-driven healthcare system.
CMS Proposes to Cover Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain
CMS proposed to cover acupuncture for Medicare patients with chronic low back pain who are enrolled participants either in clinical trials sponsored by the National Institutes of Health or in CMS-approved studies. Currently, acupuncture is non-covered by Medicare.
Medical Orgs Favor Legislation to Improve Oversight and Transparency in Prior Authorization
A coalition of eight national medical specialties pledged support for the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 (H.R. 3107), legislation that would protect patients from unreasonable Medicare Advantage plan requirements that…
Market Muscle: Study Uncovers Differences Between Medicare And Private Insurers
By Shefali Luthra – Private health insurance plans in 2017 paid more than twice what Medicare would have for those same health care services, says a sweeping new study from Rand Corp., a respected research organization.
Proposed Changes to the Medicare PI Program for FY 2020
On April 23, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the Fiscal Year 2020 Inpatient Prospective Payment System and the Long-term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule.
CMS Accepting Proposals for New Measures for the Medicare PI Program
CMS wants to remind eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals that the Annual Call for Measures for the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program is still open. Submit a measure proposal by June 28, 2019.
VA and CMS Agreement to Improve Drug Safety Monitoring for Vets
“VA is committed to patient safety, and our robust medication surveillance systems are part of that commitment,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This agreement greatly enhances medication safety for Veterans by providing better oversight of drugs that Veterans may be able to obtain from both agencies.”
CMS Finalizes Policies to Bring Innovative Telehealth Benefit to Medicare Advantage
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized policies that will increase plan choices and benefits, including allowing Medicare Advantage plans to include additional telehealth benefits.