Long-Delayed 340B Rule Takes Effect in January
Nov. 30—A highly anticipated rule to require better drug company compliance with a major discount drug program will go into effect Jan. 1—following multiple delays.
Dec. 3-7: Hospitals Expected to Face Growing Margin Pressure
Nov. 29—Policymakers in Washington, D.C., next week will focus on hospitals' Medicare margins, as one rating agency warns government- and consumer-driven margin pressure will increase.
Surprise Medical Bills, Direct Primary Care Gain Senate Attention
Nov. 28—Senators said they will push legislation to limit surprise medical bills and to support direct primary care as part of congressional efforts to control rising healthcare costs.
CMS Considering Overhaul of Hospital Wage Index
Nov. 27—The Trump administration is mulling changes to the Medicare hospital wage index system, including the creation of a commuting-based wage index, according to federal officials.
Lessons from a BCBS Plan’s Plunge into Value-Based Payment
Nov. 26—Commercial insurers—and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, in particular—have been shy about moving into value-based payment (VBP). But one southwestern insurer’s experience may help change that.
Some Regulatory Reduction Plans Draw Hospital Concerns
Nov. 20—Some of the latest regulatory rule changes aimed at reducing provider burdens have drawn hospital opposition.
Hospitals Lead Healthcare Price Growth Plunge
Nov. 19—An unusual slump in hospital price increases—especially among commercial health plans—has pulled down overall healthcare price increases, according to a recent analysis.
Impacts Expected from 2019 Transparency Requirements
Nov. 16—Healthcare executives expect widely divergent impacts from the unprecedented transparency on charges that hospitals are required to implement within six weeks.
Nov. 19-23: Social-Need Funding Coming in CMS Models
Nov. 15—New federal payment models in the coming weeks and months will include funding to address the social determinants of health, says the government’s healthcare leader.
Hospitals Face Business Impacts from Healthcare Innovators
Nov. 14—Hospitals are facing a range of business impacts from innovative partnerships and approaches that have been launched in recent months and years, according to industry analysts.