- CMS: Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction Model
- CMS: Secretarial Comments on the CBE's (Battelle Memorial Institute) 2024 Activities: Report to Congress and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
- HHS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Integrity and Affordability
- HRSA Announces Action to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs for Life-Saving Medications at Health Centers Nationwide
- Public Inspection: HHS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Integrity and Affordability
- Increased Risk of Cyber Threats Against Healthcare and Public Health Sector
- Eight Hospitals Selected for First Cohort of Rural Hospital Stabilization Program
- Announcing the 2030 Census Disclosure Avoidance Research Program
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
New Report on Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs)
In a new analysis, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) examines the progress of a new provider type in the Medicare payment system that allows certain rural hospitals to avoid closure and continue serving their communities. Since January 2023, 30 hospitals have converted to the model that limits services to emergency and outpatient care. The report highlights factors preventing facilities from choosing this option despite financial pressures and offers policy recommendations for making the REH a sustainable care delivery option.
340B Program Reached $66 Billion in 2023—Up 23% vs. 2022: Analyzing the Numbers and HRSA’s
Reality has again failed to support the spin surrounding the 340B Drug Pricing Program. For 2023, discounted purchases under the 340B program reached a record $66.3 billion—an astounding $12.6 billion (+23.4%) higher than its 2022 counterpart. The gross-to-net difference between list prices and discounted 340B purchases also grew, to $57.8 billion (+$5.5 billion). 340B purchases are now almost 40% larger than Medicaid’s prescription drug purchases. Hospitals again accounted for 87% of 340B purchases for 2023. Purchases at every 340B covered entity type grew, despite drug prices that grew more slowly than overall inflation. Read the article for full details and our analysis.
Using Telehealth for Hybrid Care Best Practice Guide
Integrating both virtual and in-person appointments can support the delivery of quality care. Discover information and resources on how to use a hybrid care approach. View the Best Practice Guide.
How Telehealth Visits Became the Ultimate Screen Savers in Pennsylvania
Lawmakers and telemedicine advocates say Pennsylvania’s new law will lead to increased health care access – and healthier Pennsylvanians. Read more.
September Pennsylvania Physical Health Managed Care Program Enrollment Report Published
On October 24, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) published the September 2024 Managed Care Enrollment Information. This report contains the number of consumers that are medical assistance eligible and managed care eligible at any time during the month. The data is based on capitation payments and therefore each consumer Medicaid paid for in the month is counted.
As Open Enrollment Begins, Pennsylvania Insurance Marketplace Takes Program To the Next Level
The commonwealth’s health insurance marketplace continues to transform four years after the state took ownership from the federal government. Pennie, which was created to provide the opportunity for individuals and families who don’t have access to employer-sponsored health insurance or government-run coverage like Medicare or Medicaid, has allowed the commonwealth and its health partners to maintain local control and operation of customer service, reinsurance programs and more. Read more.
IBX’s Keystone Health Plan East had Pennsylvania’s Highest Insurance Claim Denial Rate Last Year
IBX’s Keystone Health Plan East continued to have Pennsylvania’s highest claim denial rate last year among plans sold on the Obamacare marketplace, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department reported this month. Read more.
Pennsylvania Insurance Marketplace Executive Director Highlights Affordability as a Priority
With Enhanced Premium Tax Credits set to expire at the end of 2025, customer affordability is a huge focus for consumers. The enhanced premium tax credits were first enacted by the American Rescue Plan in 2021 and then were extended by the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 but without congressional action, millions could see premiums increase by hundreds of dollars. Beginning November 1, customers will likely see an increase in plan premiums on Pennie.com for the 2025 plan year. While the PA Department of Insurance approved rates, some counties will see increased competition and changes to the second lowest-cost silver plan which is used along with income and family size to calculate a household’s premium tax credit. In this article, Pennie Executive Director, Devon Trolley, speaks on affordability and highlights the potential savings available to customers as nine in 10 people receive financial savings to assist with premiums and lowering the cost of copay and deductibles.
New MA Bulletin on Pennsylvania’s EPSDT Program Periodicity Schedule
DHS issued MA Bulletin 99-24-08 Pennsylvania’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Program Periodicity Schedule and Coding Matrix, effective Oct. 29, 2024. This bulletin applies to all providers enrolled in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program who provide EPSDT screens for MA beneficiaries in the fee-for-service and managed care delivery systems. Providers rendering services in the managed care delivery system should address any payment related questions to the appropriate MA managed care organization. This is in response to CMS published highly anticipated guidance on early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment (EPSDT) benefit. Under the EPSDT requirements at Section 1905(a)(4)(B) and (r) of the Social Security Act, children under age 21 are entitled to Medicaid coverage of Section 1905(a) services that are medically necessary to correct or ameliorate physical or mental conditions, even if these services are not covered under the state plan.
Rural Health Clinic & Federally Qualified Health Center: Final CY 2024 Payment Policies
CMS updated the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 13 (PDF) with CY 2024 requirements and payment policies for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
The updated booklets can be found using these links:
· Information for Rural Health Clinics (PDF) booklet
· Federally Qualified Health Center (PDF) booklet
· Instruction to your Medicare Administrative Contractor (PDF)