An ambitious California proposal to regulate health care rates and curb long-term health care spending was unveiled last week in Assembly Bill 3087 (Proposed Legislation). The key concept in the Proposed Legislation is the establishment of an independent commission with the authority to set the rates paid for health care services in most commercial contexts. …… Continue reading this entry
New federal regulations published on January 3, 2018, clarify when lawful holders of substance-use disorder records may use and disclose patient identifying information for payment, health care operations, and audits and evaluations. The 2018 regulations address issues that were discussed, but not resolved, in last year’s final rule published on January 18, 2017. The 2017…… Continue reading this entry
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed reducing the Medicare payment rate to hospitals for most separately payable drugs purchased under the 340B program from average sales price (ASP) plus six percent to ASP minus 22.5%. This reimbursement cut — almost 30% in the aggregate— would significantly reduce the savings available to…… Continue reading this entry