FDA Implements Added Efforts to Tackle e-Cigarette Use and Addiction by Kids
The FDA is making efforts as part of its Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan to ensure no tobacco products are marketed to, sold to or used by kids.
CMS Finalizes Rule on Medicare Advantage Pay Raise Based on Patient Encounter Data
CMS has finalized its rule to give Medicare Advantage plans a 2.53 percent pay raise in 2020, up from its original plan to raise pay 1.59 percent.
New Voluntary Medicare Part D Demo Aims to Reduce Spending on High-Cost Drugs
CMS announced the Part D Payment Modernization Model to share in savings generated by reducing costs in the program’s catastrophic phase.
HHS Grants Awarded to Help Americans Access HIV/AIDS Care and Medication
In 2018, HHS awarded $2.34 billion in Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grants to cities, counties, states and local community based organizations.
Majority of Vaccination Bills Propose Increasing Exemptions, But Most Enacted Limit Exemptions
Although more antivaccination legislation was introduced between 2011 and 2017, bills that limited vaccine exemptions were significantly more likely to be enacted.
$293 Million Awarded by HHS to Expand Primary Healthcare Workforce
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded $293 million in awards to primary healthcare clinicians and students through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Nurse Corps programs.
CMS’s New Oncology Care Model Aims to Provide Better Care for Chemotherapy Patients
CMS has developed the Oncology Care Model (OCM) to provide higher quality and more highly coordinated oncology care at the same or lower cost to Medicare.
CMS to Strengthen and Enhance Oversight and Transparency of Medicare Accrediting Organizations
CMS takes steps to enhance and strengthen its oversight and quality transparency of accrediting organizations.
Court Upholds Reimbursement Cut for 340B Drug Discount Program
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the reimbursement cut that took effect on Jan. 1 for drugs purchased under the 340B Drug Discount Program reimbursed under the Medicare hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS).
CMS Final Rule Updates 2019 Medicare Payment Rates and Wage Index for Hospices
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule that updates the 2019 Medicare payment rates and wage index for hospices servicing Medicare beneficiaries.
