Legislation
ICD-10 To Be Pushed Back
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) has announced a proposed rule that would extend the deadline for healthcare providers to implement the new ICD-10 diagnosis coding system. The proposed rule moves the ICD-10 deadline from October 1, 2013, to October 1, 2014. The announcement of the proposed rule follows an earlier… Read More »
Stage 2 Proposed Rules Published
CMS has published a proposed rule providing standards and guidance for Stage 2 of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program (the “Program”). The CMS proposed rule explains the requirements that eligible professionals and hospitals must meet to qualify for meaningful use incentive payments under the Program. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health… Read More »
New Commission Formed to Analyze Physician Payments
The National Commission on Physician Payment Reform has been established by the Society of General Internal Medicine to make recommendations about physician payments. The commission will meet over the next year to look at how doctors are paid, and to analyze how accountable care organizations, medical homes and other arrangements will affect healthcare financing. The… Read More »
House Votes to Repeal “CLASS Act” Program
The House of Representatives has voted to repeal a part of the health care reform bill that establishes a voluntary, long-term health care program. The program is formally known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (“CLASS”) program. The Obama administration has taken the position that the CLASS program is not financially… Read More »
Same Day Surgery Restrictions Removed for Ambulatory Surgical Centers
A new rule allows ambulatory surgical centers to provide patient notifications on the day of the surgery, effectively eliminating the so-called prior-day notification requirement. Prior to this rule, same day surgeries were only allowed in emergencies. The final rule is expected to take effect on December 23, 2011. The rule, provided by the Center for… Read More »
Nebraska Will Wait to Implement Health Care Exchanges
Governor Heineman recently said Nebraska will wait to set up a health care exchange until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on whether the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “Act”) is constitutional. The health care exchanges are intended to offer health insurance to those currently without coverage. While Nebraska is planning a program in… Read More »
New Program Changes the Way Medicare Reimburses Health Care Providers
A pilot program called the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative (the “Bundling Initiative”) has recently been unveiled by The Department of Health and Human Services (the “Department”). The program is designed to change the way Medicare reimburses health care providers. Under the current method, Medicare makes separate payments to each provider. In an effort… Read More »
SAME DAY SURGERY NOTIFICATION RULE FOR AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTERS
Ambulatory Surgery Centers (‘ASC’s”) may be required to notify patients of their rights and of the facility’s ownership before the day of surgery under a rule be considered by the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”). An exception would be made when the referring physician indicates that it is medically necessary for the patient… Read More »
Proposed Rule Gives Physicians a Break on Requirement to Electronically Submit Quality Measures
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gave physicians a break (albeit brief) its recent proposed rule on meaningful use reporting requirements for electronic health records (EHRs). The proposed rule would permit eligible providers to continue to report certified EHR clinical quality measure results by attestation through 2012. Absent the proposed rule’s enactment, EPs… Read More »
Reminder to Physicians: Meaningful Use Checks are Arriving
On May 19, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) mailed the first checks for the Medicare incentive program to physicians who had attested that they had achieved meaningful use of their electronic health records (EHRs). EHR incentive payments are also available to eligible professionals from state Medicaid programs. However, the Medicaid program has… Read More »
