HHS Extends COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
At the end of July, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services extended the national public health emergency declared for the COVID-19 pandemic, which grants COVID-19 payment and regulatory fl exibilities, for another 90 days.
Judge Rules Against Hospitals’ Suit Challenging New Price Transparency Rules
A federal judge ruled against the American Hospital Association and other hospital groups that filed suit in December contesting a finalized rule by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that requires hospitals to disclose price information, including negotiated prices with insurers.
$1.95M Grant Awarded to Study Autoimmune Diseases
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $1.95 million federal grant to researchers investigating the underlying cause (molecular mechanisms) of autoimmune diseases.
FDA Implements New Warnings for Cigarette Packages and Advertisements
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule to require new health warnings on cigarette packages and in cigarette advertisements, which feature textual statements with photo-realistic color images depicting some of the lesser-known, but serious health risks of cigarette smoking, including impact to fetal growth, cardiac disease, diabetes and more.
Waiver Allows Medicare Patients to Receive Free Telehealth Services
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has broadened access to Medicare telehealth services so beneficiaries can receive a wider range of services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility.
FDA Campaign Designed to Help Consumers Use New Food Label
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a campaign to help consumers use the new Nutrition Facts label that appears on packaged foods to maintain healthy dietary practices.
Finalized Rule Gives Patients More Control Over Their Health Data
In March, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized two rules that give patients unprecedented safe and secure access to their health data.
CMS Launches Healthy Adult Opportunity Demonstration Initiative
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the Healthy Adult Opportunity (HAO) optional demonstration initiative to give states tools to design innovative health coverage programs for adult beneficiaries, while holding states accountable for results and maintaining strong protections for the most at-risk populations.
Medicare Will Now Cover Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a decision to cover acupuncture for Medicare patients with chronic low back pain.
Finalized Health Care Price Transparency Rule Unveiled
New rule requires hospitals to share previously obscured price information, including discounts for cash-paying patients and rates negotiated with insurers.