Health Care Quality Digest

BCBS of Massachusetts faces backlash from docs over anesthesia coverage policy change

Fierce Healthcare

DECEMBER 21, 2023

A new policy from Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, starting Jan. Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts is standing by the policy, which will save the insurer money but require the patient to remain awake for the operation.

Providers pitch their post-Change cybersecurity policy fixes to sympathetic Congress

Fierce Healthcare

APRIL 16, 2024

Healthcare providers held the receptive ears of lawmakers during a congressional hearing Tuesday morning exploring cybersecurity and related policy changes to be made in the wake of the Change Heal | With UnitedHealth Group out of the room, lawmakers were happy to entertain providers' calls for greater third-party cybersecurity liability and antitrust (..)

Healthcare Providers

Healthcare Providers Healthcare

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts delays controversial anesthesia policy

Fierce Healthcare

JANUARY 24, 2024

A Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts policy that was set to begin Jan. | The health plan said its delaying implementation of its new monitored anesthesia care policy, just one month after we reported on patient advocacy groups' concerns over the policy.

Henry Ford Health, group practice sued over policy requiring cognition tests for older physicians

Fierce Healthcare

OCTOBER 23, 2023

An 84-year-old ophthalmologist has filed a class action lawsuit against Henry Ford Health and its medical group practice over a policy requiring older practitioners to undergo a cognition screen in | Henry Ford Medical Group's policy currently requires those 70 and older to undergo a screening "solely based on age," according to the (..)

New AMA policies focus on GLP-1 coverage, resisting corporate medicine

Health Care Dive

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

The lobbying group advanced a range of policy resolutions it says will advance access to patient care at its annual interim meeting.

Industry Voices—CMS payment policies threaten to undermine access to kidney care

Fierce Healthcare

OCTOBER 3, 2023

When it comes to kidney disease, the numbers speak for themselves: 130,000 Americans are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease each year, and one in three adults is at risk of developing the diseas | Amidst these challenges, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed policies that will undermine the individuals they seek to serve – (..)

Medicaid

Medicaid Medicare

UnitedHealthcare defends controversial prior authorization policy for colonoscopies

Fierce Healthcare

MAY 16, 2023

UnitedHealthcare defends controversial prior authorization policy for colonoscopies fdiamond Tue, 05/16/2023 - 16:43

FTC withdraws 'outdated' healthcare antitrust policy statements, following DOJ's lead

Fierce Healthcare

JULY 17, 2023

Friday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its withdrawal of two policy statements outlining its former position on antitrust enforcement in healthcare markets, echoing a similar decision | The two policy statements, issued in 1996 and 2011, "no longer reflect market realities in this important sector of the economy," the regulator (..)

Healthcare

Healthcare Regulations

Health systems struggle to put AI governance policies in place to keep up with tech innovation

Fierce Healthcare

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

As the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare rapidly grows, hospital executives are still wrangling with practical questions around governance policies to establish basic rules of the road.<

Hospitals

Hospitals Healthcare

Washington hospitals sue to block policy extending charity care to out-of-state patients

Fierce Healthcare

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Washington hospitals are looking to take their state’s Department of Health to court over a September notice requiring certain providers to offer charity care to poor patients regardless of where i | The Washington State Hospital Association wrote in a filing that the update is inconsistent with decades of charity care policy implementations and would (..)

Medical Tourism

Medical Tourism Hospitals

Allina Health pauses policy barring patients in debt from receiving outpatient care

Fierce Healthcare

JUNE 12, 2023

Allina reportedly had an explicit policy to cancel outpatient appointments for patients with at least $4,500 in unpaid medical debt. Allina Health System announced last Friday it was placing controversial billing practices on hold as it reevaluates its approach. It announced last week it was placing that on hold to reevaluate.

UnitedHealthcare, docs still at odds over prior authorization policy for colonoscopies

Fierce Healthcare

MAY 30, 2023

UnitedHealthcare, docs still at odds over prior authorization policy for colonoscopies fdiamond Tue, 05/30/2023 - 17:17

Medicare finalizes policy limiting coverage of Biogen Alzheimer's drug

Health Care Dive

APRIL 8, 2022

Treatment with Aduhelm would only be covered for patients enrolled in a clinical trial under the policy, which largely follows a draft proposal released in January.

Medicare

'Podnosis': How big data can inform public policy, AI for healthcare

Fierce Healthcare

JULY 12, 2023

This week on "Podnosis," we talk about how big data can inform policy. Private sector data companies like Komodo Health work with healthcare stakeholders, including governments, to help identify gaps in care, inequities and then interventions to improve outcomes. Also under discussion is the role of AI in healthcare.

Healthcare

What are CY 2024 Policy Updates For MIPS Reporting? (Part I)

p3care

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Before that, you must review the CY 2024 policy updates that have undergone regulatory modifications. So, the PFS final rule for MIPS 2024 encloses comprehensive details on policy changes. So, the PFS final rule for MIPS 2024 encloses comprehensive details on policy changes. Let’s dig in without further delay!

Medicare

Medicare Healthcare

What are the MIPS 2024 Final Scoring Policy Updates? (Part III)

p3care

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

So, this is ‘ Part III ’ of our CY 2024 MIPS policy changes.] MIPS reporting rules and policies may vary from one reporting option to another. If you’re a new reader, check out our blogs Part I and Part II on the MIPS 2024 reporting policy revisions. Anyhow, the MIPS 2024 final policy holds 75 points as a performance threshold.

Regulations

Regulations Medicare Healthcare

HIMSS promotes key policies on telehealth expansion, maternal health

Healthcare It News

OCTOBER 25, 2022

As part of its Global Health Equity Week, HIMSS (parent organization of Healthcare IT News), is promoting two policy campaigns, at the federal and state level, respectively. The campaign seeks to "get states to enact comprehensive legislative and regulatory changes through state 'Momnibus' policies," said Leary.

Patient Safety

Patient Safety Prevention Medicaid Medicare

What are CY 2024 Policy Updates For MIPS Reporting? (Part II)

p3care

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

So, this is the ‘ Part II ’ of our CY 2024 MIPS policy changes.] The policies under these categories foster technological advancements and drive improvements across the healthcare spectrum. So, without further ado, roll down the policy updates regarding these two categories.

Medicare

Medicare Quality Improvement Hospitals Regulations

MIPS 2024: Approved and Unapproved Policies in the Final Rule

p3care

NOVEMBER 7, 2023

CMS has provided the proposed rule before finalizing the policies for PY 2024 reporting. Thereby, the PFS final rule includes policies that shed light on continuity. Highlights of Policies Approved for MIPS 2024 Here we have listed some of the major policies approved for MIPS reporting in the final rule.

Patient Safety

Patient Safety Rehabilitation Medicare Prevention

AMA presses policies on abortion, guns, climate at annual meeting

Health Care Dive

JUNE 21, 2022

The AMA announced over 20 policies including those that declared climate change a public health crisis, urged the FDA to make over-the-counter oral contraceptives accessible and more.

Communication failures, policy noncompliance fuel jump in reported patient safety events, Joint Commission finds

Fierce Healthcare

APRIL 5, 2023

Communication failures, policy noncompliance fuel jump in reported patient safety events, Joint Commission finds dmuoio Wed, 04/05/2023 - 16:35

Patient Safety

Insurance Companies’ QZ Anesthesia Reimbursement Policies Shifts Costs to Hospitals

Fierce Healthcare

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

Insurance Companies’ QZ Anesthesia Reimbursement Policies Shifts Costs to Hospitals jpiatt Tue, 02/28/2023 - 12:15

Hospitals

From telehealth to Medicare cuts: Here are the health policies in Congress' $1.7T omnibus

Fierce Healthcare

DECEMBER 20, 2022

From telehealth to Medicare cuts: Here are the health policies in Congress' $1.7T Tue, 12/20/2022 - 10:29.

Medicare

MIPS 2024: What are the New Policies for Third Party Intermediaries? (Part IV)

p3care

NOVEMBER 19, 2023

So, this is ‘ Part IV ’ of our CY 2024 MIPS policy changes.] In our blog series, we have discussed the policy changes for MIPS performance categories and final scoring. In today’s blog, we will define the policy updates for third-party intermediaries. Now, let’s see what the MIPS 2024 policy entails for third-party vendors!

Integration

Integration Healthcare Providers Healthcare

CDC offers updated advice for healthcare facilities' masking policies post-public health emergency

Fierce Healthcare

MAY 11, 2023

CDC offers updated advice for healthcare facilities' masking policies post-public health emergency dmuoio Thu, 05/11/2023 - 16:35

Healthcare

BCBSA: Broader site-neutral payment policies would save $471B over 10 years

Fierce Healthcare

MARCH 1, 2023

BCBSA: Broader site-neutral payment policies would save $471B over 10 years dmuoio Wed, 03/01/2023 - 14:20

HIMSSCast: ATA CEO says telehealth future is hybrid, outlines policy priorities and challenges

Healthcare It News

JULY 8, 2022

In this informative podcast, Johnson talks about the hybrid model that may be the future of telehealth, what will be necessary to establish telehealth as a permanent modality in care delivery, current telehealth policy priorities and challenges, and the work of her ATA Advisory Group on Using Telehealth to Eliminate Disparities and Inequities.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Healthcare

Tenet pressured to clarify emergency abortion policies

Health Care Dive

APRIL 18, 2023

Shareholders are being asked to approve a proposal requiring the hospital operator to lay out its policies regarding emergency abortions, and to clarify its statement that it will follow “faith-based commitments.”

Hospitals

Lawmaker-backed report accuses UPMC of 'anti-competitive' monopoly, calls for policy intervention

Fierce Healthcare

JANUARY 23, 2023

Lawmaker-backed report accuses UPMC of 'anti-competitive' monopoly, calls for policy intervention dmuoio Mon, 01/23/2023 - 11:14

Aetna hit with class-action lawsuit alleging discriminatory policies for mental health treatment

Fierce Healthcare

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

Aetna hit with class-action lawsuit alleging discriminatory policies for mental health treatment. Thu, 09/23/2021 - 17:16.

Biden signs $1.7T omnibus, paving way for multiple health policy priorities

Fierce Healthcare

JANUARY 2, 2023

omnibus, paving way for multiple health policy priorities. Biden signs $1.7T Mon, 01/02/2023 - 22:24.

How State Palliative Care Advisory Councils Are Advancing Serious Illness Policy

NASHP

APRIL 4, 2024

ET Register The post How State Palliative Care Advisory Councils Are Advancing Serious Illness Policy appeared first on NASHP. Speakers Scott Bane, JD, MPA, Senior Program Officer, The John A. Hartford Foundation Paul J. Hartford Foundation. Tuesday, April 30, 3–4 p.m.

Regulations

Regulations Medicaid

Could the EU's decision against Meta affect data privacy policies in the U.S.?

Healthcare It News

JANUARY 6, 2023

Facebook parent company Meta this week was fined 390 million euros, or more than $414 million, by European Union regulators in a major decision around its online ad targeting and privacy policies. healthcare policy in light of the company's U.S. Data tracking by contractual necessity. healthcare data privacy lawsuits.

Regulations

Regulations Healthcare Providers Healthcare Hospitals

Health Policy News March 2024

Health Policy News

MARCH 29, 2024

Health Policy News March We start this month’s edition looking forward to Black Maternal Health Week – April 11th-17th. Our first article features this important health topic. We hope you.

CMS seeks comments on its policies and programs

Healthcare It News

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

The agency requests information related to strategies that succeed in addressing drivers of health inequitie and opportunities to address social determinants of health and the challenges underserved communities face accessing comprehensive care.

Medicaid

Medicaid Medicare Healthcare

Washington ups pressure on PBMs with more aggressive FTC policy, congressional ask for GAO study

Health Care Dive

JUNE 21, 2022

The Federal Trade Commission has voted unanimously to adopt a policy statement to more closely examine fees and rebates paid to PBMs in exchange for preferred coverage for their drugs from payers.

'Podnosis': The challenges with new email policies, and the importance of diverse investors and founders.

Fierce Healthcare

AUGUST 15, 2023

A limited, but growing, number of healthcare providers are announcing policies to charge patients for electronic messages sent to clinicians. This week on "Podnosis," we take a closer look at the challenges with new email policies, and the importance of diverse investors and founders.

Healthcare Providers

Healthcare Providers Healthcare

Recent Monetary Policy Updates Could Create Choke-Hold On Home Health, Home Care Dealmaking

Home Health Care

APRIL 16, 2024

This is akin to the Fed jamming the brakes on the monetary policy to help slow down the economy because inflation was occurring.” Though this was a tool to slow down the economy as a response to inflation, this policy ended up also impacting dealmaking by skyrocketing the cost of capital to buyers.

Home Care

Home Care Medicaid Medicare Nursing

A key House panel approved a slew of health policies. Here's a look at 4 of them

Fierce Healthcare

MAY 18, 2023

A key House panel approved a slew of health policies. Here's a look at 4 of them pminemyer Thu, 05/18/2023 - 14:55

Eying a 'new normal,' former Biden health advisors call for sweeping pandemic policy changes

Fierce Healthcare

JANUARY 7, 2022

Eying a 'new normal,' former Biden health advisors call for sweeping pandemic policy changes. Fri, 01/07/2022 - 12:03.

Health Policy News February 2024

Health Policy News

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Health Policy News February In this month’s edition of Health Policy News, we continue our Focus on Caregiving Series with an overview of the federal Credit for Caring Act introduced.

Medicare Advantage enrollment has exploded since 2006. But policy hasn't kept up, researchers warn

Fierce Healthcare

FEBRUARY 9, 2023

But policy hasn't kept up, researchers warn fdiamond Thu, 02/09/2023 - 15:41 Medicare Advantage enrollment has exploded since 2006.

Medicare

Please leave politicians out of the exam room. Proposed changes to transgender health policies set a dangerous precedent

Healthy Debate

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Proposed changes to transgender health policies set a dangerous precedent appeared first on Healthy Debate. The post Please leave politicians out of the exam room.

No Surprises Act dispute portal reopens again amid ‘challenging’ policy rollout

Health Care Dive

DECEMBER 18, 2023

The CMS has repeatedly stopped and restarted arbitration this year as court cases snarl regulatory efforts to resolve surprise billing disputes.

BCBS of Massachusetts faces backlash from docs over anesthesia coverage policy change

Providers pitch their post-Change cybersecurity policy fixes to sympathetic Congress

Trending Sources

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts delays controversial anesthesia policy

Henry Ford Health, group practice sued over policy requiring cognition tests for older physicians

New AMA policies focus on GLP-1 coverage, resisting corporate medicine

Industry Voices—CMS payment policies threaten to undermine access to kidney care

UnitedHealthcare defends controversial prior authorization policy for colonoscopies

FTC withdraws 'outdated' healthcare antitrust policy statements, following DOJ's lead

Health systems struggle to put AI governance policies in place to keep up with tech innovation

Washington hospitals sue to block policy extending charity care to out-of-state patients

Allina Health pauses policy barring patients in debt from receiving outpatient care

UnitedHealthcare, docs still at odds over prior authorization policy for colonoscopies

Medicare finalizes policy limiting coverage of Biogen Alzheimer's drug

'Podnosis': How big data can inform public policy, AI for healthcare

What are CY 2024 Policy Updates For MIPS Reporting? (Part I)

What are the MIPS 2024 Final Scoring Policy Updates? (Part III)

HIMSS promotes key policies on telehealth expansion, maternal health

What are CY 2024 Policy Updates For MIPS Reporting? (Part II)

MIPS 2024: Approved and Unapproved Policies in the Final Rule

AMA presses policies on abortion, guns, climate at annual meeting

Communication failures, policy noncompliance fuel jump in reported patient safety events, Joint Commission finds

Insurance Companies’ QZ Anesthesia Reimbursement Policies Shifts Costs to Hospitals

From telehealth to Medicare cuts: Here are the health policies in Congress' $1.7T omnibus

MIPS 2024: What are the New Policies for Third Party Intermediaries? (Part IV)

CDC offers updated advice for healthcare facilities' masking policies post-public health emergency

BCBSA: Broader site-neutral payment policies would save $471B over 10 years

HIMSSCast: ATA CEO says telehealth future is hybrid, outlines policy priorities and challenges

Tenet pressured to clarify emergency abortion policies

Lawmaker-backed report accuses UPMC of 'anti-competitive' monopoly, calls for policy intervention

Aetna hit with class-action lawsuit alleging discriminatory policies for mental health treatment

Biden signs $1.7T omnibus, paving way for multiple health policy priorities

How State Palliative Care Advisory Councils Are Advancing Serious Illness Policy

Could the EU's decision against Meta affect data privacy policies in the U.S.?

Health Policy News March 2024

CMS seeks comments on its policies and programs

Washington ups pressure on PBMs with more aggressive FTC policy, congressional ask for GAO study

'Podnosis': The challenges with new email policies, and the importance of diverse investors and founders.

Recent Monetary Policy Updates Could Create Choke-Hold On Home Health, Home Care Dealmaking

A key House panel approved a slew of health policies. Here's a look at 4 of them

Eying a 'new normal,' former Biden health advisors call for sweeping pandemic policy changes

Health Policy News February 2024

Medicare Advantage enrollment has exploded since 2006. But policy hasn't kept up, researchers warn

Please leave politicians out of the exam room. Proposed changes to transgender health policies set a dangerous precedent

No Surprises Act dispute portal reopens again amid ‘challenging’ policy rollout

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