Grants Awarded to Fund New Clinical Trials for Products to Treat Rare Diseases
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded 12 new clinical trial research grants to principal investigators from academia and industry totaling more than $18 million over the next four years to enhance the development of medical products for patients with rare diseases.
Revised Medical Program Integrity Manual Is a ‘Roadmap’ to LCD Process
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has revised Chapter 13 of the Medicare Program Integrity Manual to include instructions, policies and procedures that Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) use to administer the Medicare fee-for-service program.
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.
CMS Launches Medicare Advantage Qualifying Payment Arrangement Incentive Demonstration
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is launching the Medicare Advantage Qualifying Payment Arrangement Incentive demonstration.
CMS Launches New Voluntary Bundled Payment Model
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has launched a new voluntary bundled payment model that qualifies as an advanced alternative payment model under its quality payment program.
CMS Proposes Paying for Telehealth and Overhauling Medicare Billing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is proposing a plan to pay doctors for virtual visits and overhaul Medicare billing standards put in place in the 1990s.
FDA Introduces Biosimilar Action Plan
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration introduced its Biosimilar Action Plan to help speed up approvals to enhance access to lower-cost biologics.
HHS Loosens Restrictions on Short-Term Health Plans
A final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services allows insurers to once again sell short-term health insurance for up to 12 months, as well as makes the plans renewable for up to three years.
CMS Restores Risk Adjustment Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services adopted an interim final rule to restore $10.4 billion in funding to insurers to help them provide coverage to sick and
costly enrollees.