Starting April 1, home health agencies and hospices must comply with the face-to-face encounter requirement established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Read More
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program began on April 18. CMS recently issued a Medicare Learning Network Matters article that outlines how eligible providers may receive incentive payments for the “meaningful use” of certified EHR technology. Read More
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a final rule on a new value-based purchasing (VBP) program for acute-care hospitals. Under this program, which was mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, CMS will reward hospitals that provide high quality care through incentive payments. Read More
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a final rule implementing Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provisions related to the Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) programs. The final rule makes several changes to the Part C and D programs to clarify program participation requirements; strengthen beneficiary protections; and increase CMS’ ability to identify and handle weak program applicants. Read More
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter on April 8 to state Medicaid Directors outlining changes to the “meaningful use” standards for the Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. Read More
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a final rule that revises and expands CMS’ authority to impose civil monetary penalties (CMPs) against nursing homes that do not comply with Federal participation requirements. Read More
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently implemented a new, risk-based screening system to process provider and supplier Medicare enrollment applications. According to CMS, each new provider or supplier that applies to enroll in the Medicare program is assigned a risk level (limited, moderate or high) that corresponds with their potential to commit fraud, waste or abuse. Read More
The Senate Finance Committee recently released a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting quarterly updates on fraud, waste, and abuse prevention and detection efforts in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Read More
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released proposed regulations on the implementation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). The ACO program is a voluntary Medicare Shared Savings Program established under the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act. This program is intended to reduce health care costs by improving the coordination of care for Medicare patients. Read More
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) jointly issued a final rule implementing several Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provisions. Read More
