Critical access hospitals will avoid Medicare cuts stemming from Paycheck Protection Program loans, Verma says
CMS does not intend for PPP loans to factor into Medicare payments to rural providers, the agency’s administrator recently clarified.
HHS reopens applications for COVID-19 provider assistance
Providers that rejected the first round of federal coronavirus grants will have another chance in August to seek some of those funds, as will other categories of providers.
More hospital consolidation is expected post-pandemic
Supporters and opponents of hospital mergers and acquisitions expect such deals to increase in the aftermath of COVID-19..
OPPS proposed rule would eliminate ‘inpatient only’ list of procedures
The CY21 OPPS proposed rule would eliminate the inpatient-only list of services over three years while increasing the number of ASC-eligible procedures, and also would increase 340B payment cuts and overhaul the hospital star-rating system.
Trump orders new rural payment model, permanent expansion of telehealth
President Trump ordered HHS to develop a new payment model for rural healthcare providers and to use its regulatory authority to make telehealth expansion permanent.
A scarcity of rural ICU beds means little revenue amid the COVID-19 resurgence
Half of low-income rural areas lack ICU beds, which is depriving hospitals of revenue during ongoing COVID-19 surges.
Hospitals decry appeals court decision upholding 340B cuts
An appeals court upheld $1.6 billion in annual Medicare payment cuts to 340B hospitals.
Elective surgery volume near normal in late July, analysis finds
Elective surgeries recovered in July following earlier state bans. However, a growing number of states are re-imposing bans amid a COVID-19 resurgence.
Rethinking patient payments and providing a consumer-friendly experience
An innovative healthcare technology company talks about how its technology-fueled billing and payment platform enables a compassionate patient financial experience while efficiently driving revenue into a healthcare organization.
Senate’s COVID-19 bill disappoints hospitals
Hospitals were frustrated proposed hospital funding levels and tweaks to Medicare advance payments as proposed in Senate Republicans’ new COVID-19-relief bills.