A proposed rule, drafted jointly by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), would amend a patient privacy provision of two federal laws to grant patients access to test results directly from laboratories through the use of health information technology (health IT). (more…)
September 16th, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ran a triple play on July 1, issuing proposed rules that will affect physicians, hospital outpatient departments (HOPD), ambulatory surgical centers (ASC), and suppliers of renal dialysis services in the upcoming year. Most notable in all three proposed rules are the updates to payment policies and rates for 2012 and the steps being taken to further implement Affordable Care Act provisions intended to improve the quality of care beneficiaries receive and, at the same time, reduce government spending.
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July 15th, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed revisions to the work relative value units (RVUs) for 290 CPT® codes to be enacted with adoption of the 2012 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (Jan. 1, 2012).
By law, CMS must review RVUs no less often than every five years. CMS’ recommendations following the most recent five-year review are detailed in a proposed rule posted to the Federal Register on June 6.
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July 1st, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to update fiscal year 2012 payment policies and rates for hospitals paid under the inpatient, long-term care, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities prospective payment systems (PPS). The two proposed rules with comment periods also would further implement certain Affordable Care Act provisions and several other policy changes.
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April 29th, 2011
The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury proposed a new rule, March 10, outlining the steps states can take to receive a State Innovation Waiver under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act).
The Affordable Care Act gives states the flexibility to receive a State Innovation Waiver beginning in 2017. President Obama has said he supports bipartisan legislation that would make waivers available to states beginning in 2014.
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March 11th, 2011