December 2018

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On December 12, 2018, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), requested public comments on potential changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s regulations (HIPAA) that are perceived to be burdensome by the industry. The Request for Information (RFI) focuses on HIPAA requirements that limit or…… Continue reading this entry

The medical credentialing process, whether for a hospital, a hospital system or a health plan, has emerged as a potential early target for the application of blockchain technology and administration.1 It is a process that allows a secure database to be established over time and on a cumulative basis. Medical credentialing involves verifying whether a…… Continue reading this entry

On November 30, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published 83 Fed. Reg. 62152, which proposes changes to Medicare Part D (prescription drug benefit) and drug plans offered by Medicare Advantage (managed care) in an effort to reduce out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries. The proposed rule is part of the Trump Administration’s  four…… Continue reading this entry

Most busy scientific research laboratories have a spectrum of projects underway at any given time. Some projects are producing exciting results, and others seem to be heading nowhere. Why not shift personnel from the losers to the winners? Here’s one big reason: The government is watching. And unless you’re careful, simply moving a couple of…… Continue reading this entry

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the completion of the Human Genome Project. In the decade and a half that has passed since, the genomic revolution has spurred an immeasurable level of excitement and support surrounding the promise of personalized medicine, setting high expectations for a new era of health care and rapidly transforming…… Continue reading this entry