CMS unveils the Geographic Direct Contracting model
The Geographic Direct Contracting model will test full-risk arrangements for healthcare entities serving thousands of Medicare beneficiaries within defined geographic areas.
Medicare phases out the inpatient-only list, backs off further 340B payment cuts
The final rule for the CY21 Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System will phase out the inpatient-only list but won’t implement steeper 340B cuts.
Medicare shifts payments toward primary care physicians in PFS final rule
The final rule for CY21 Medicare physician payment will boost evaluation and management service payments while cutting rates for services provided by many specialty physicians.
5 tips to safeguard 20% payment increase for treating patients with COVID-19
Healthcare organizations should be careful to ensure their practices don't put their COVID-19 payments at risk.
For-profit hospital outlook improves to stable, according to Moody’s
Moody’s shifted its outlook for for-profit hospitals from negative to neutral in response to ongoing federal assistance and an expected volume recovery.
Stark, Anti-Kickback changes draw praise from providers
Final rules modifying enforcement of the Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute aim to remove barriers to participation in value-based payment models.
HHS Provider Relief Fund clarifications provide much-needed information
Several clarifications related to the treatment of depreciation, expenses for stockpiling PPE and revenue to the HHS Provider Relief Fund (PRF) FAQs were released Nov. 18 by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
CMMI releases interim final rule detailing the payment model for separately payable Part B drugs
HFMA's Chad Mulvany says it is likely drug manufacturers will sue to stop the rule, and they may have several strong legal arguments that would at least delay, if not overturn the rule.
Providers urge Congress to act quickly on COVID-19 assistance, value-based payment
Hospitals and other providers are urging the lame-duck Congress to provide more COVID-19 provider relief and to tweak rules for physicians in value-based payment models.
Could value-based payment be used to shore up the Medicare trust fund?
September estimates that the Medicare hospital trust fund will be insolvent by 2024 could mean value-based payment will play a role in buttressing the fund.