On May 28, 2021, the White House released the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget.[1] This full version of the budget follows the Administration’s “top-line” budget released in early April. For the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the administration is requesting $131.8 billion in discretionary.[2] In a statement about the budget request HHS [...] Read More
Tweet This evening, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule. In the proposed rule, CMS is updating several provisions, but making significant changes to E/M and chronic care management services, citing greater flexibility and increased accuracy in codifying services. Additional updates in this year’s PFS [...] Read More
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held a public meeting on October 4-5, 2018. The commission discussed a variety of topics at the meeting including, opioid use in Medicare Part D, opioids and alternatives in hospital settings, and payment policies for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs). No draft recommendations were presented [...] Read More
On February 6, 2018 the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee held a hearing on prevention and treatment methods for opioid abuse and dependence in Medicare. A panel of senior executives from commercial health plans that serve Medicare beneficiaries, medical professionals, and the Governor of the state of Vermont made up the hearing advisory. Previously, […]
Read MoreFor the first time in three years, CMS has proposed a formal regulation concerning the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit programs. Typically, the agency has managed both benefits via the annual Call Letter process, which is subregulatory guidance. The proposed rule garnered a lot of speculation while it was under […]
Read MoreThe Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has released their Fiscal Year 2017 HHS OIG Work Plan. The OIG seeks to identify opportunities to improve various HHS programs and also holds those who do not meet requirements or violate federal laws accountable. Their work encompasses […]
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