OCR Offers Guidance on Sharing Patient Behavioral Health
OCR has proposed deregulatory rulemaking to clarify when hospitals may share certain patient behavioral health information.
Yet One More Legal Attack by Republicans on the ACA
Arguing that the removal of the insurance mandate means Affordable Care Act is no longer a tax, the DOJ has now challenged its constitutionality in court. The author also discusses some of the likely outcomes, depending on the court’s decision.
Decoding MSPB: Trending Better Faster
Dale Schumacher and Fern Nerhood describe how trends in Medicare spending per beneficiary can affect hospital finances.
Making Decisions About Monetizing Social Media Data
Healthcare leaders confronted with the decision to monetize sharing of social media data should consider the impact on all stakeholders, the oath to “first do no harm,” and how technology is used and designed.
PHI Disclosure Management in the Business Office: Two Options for Greater Efficiency
Don Hardwick describes ways healthcare organizations can improve the process of releasing medical records to insurers.
Congress Most Likely Pass Regulatory Reduction Bill, Says Leader
May 8—Although many healthcare issues are calling for congressional action this year, the run-up to the mid-term elections likely will limit legislative advancements to a regulatory relief package, according to a congressional health leader.
Supreme Court Narrows Whistleblower Law
A Supreme Court decision affects whistleblowers in for-profit companies; those working for not-for-profits are protected by other statutes.
BCBS Case is a Lesson on Antitrust
A U.S. district court judge recently questioned the reasonableness of the claims against BCBS that accuse the health plan of increasing coverage opportunities by eliminating competition.
Medicaid Waivers: Work Requirements Are Not the Only Changes Coming
Work requirements present unknown changes and impacts, but the impact may not be as big as some assume. However, what providers and recipients need to consider are the other and seemingly less significant changes that will intensify the overall impact of an 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver.
April 9-13 Policy Watch: CMS Tells Providers to Prepare for New Medicare Cards
April 6—Providers will start to see new identification cards presented this month by Medicare enrollees, and that may require action steps.