- 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
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Fiscal Year 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- CMS: Request for Information; Health Technology Ecosystem
- VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
- State: 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application
- Public Inspection: CMS: Request for Information: Health Technology Ecosystem
- HHS: Request for Information (RFI): Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Unleashing Innovation To Make American Healthy Again
- VA: Solicitation of Nominations for the Appointment to the Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs
- GAO Seeks New Members for Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council
- VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
- Telehealth Study Recruiting Veterans Now
- USDA Delivers Immediate Relief to Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Communities Impacted by Recent Disasters
- Submit Nominations for Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM) Committees
Regulation Implementing EO on Insulin and Epinephrine Delayed
HRSA published a notice in the Federal Register officially delaying the effective date for new regulation implementing President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) on FQHC 340B prices for insulin and EpiPens. The effective date has been delayed by 60 days-–the maximum time allowed under the White House order–until March 22. Per the notice, this delay will “give Department officials the opportunity for further review and consideration of new regulations.” There have been some media coverage and social media posts mischaracterizing the regulation as well as the impact of its delay. For talking points if your health center is contacted or if you want to respond to misrepresentations, contact Eric Kiehl, PACHC Director of Policy & Partnership.
Commentary: Vaccines, Networks and the Importance of Trust
By Eyal Kedar
“The message of this essay is simple. It is a call for awareness and for larger and more concerted action. It is a call to eliminate a longstanding double standard in American medicine.”
Read more
‘Childcare Gap’ Greater in Rural Areas, Study Finds
By Olivia Weeks
For rural families, there is a 35% gap between childcare supply and potential need, compared to a 29% gap in urban areas.
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‘The Happiness and Joy Has Been Sucked Out of Me’: Wisconsin Dairy Farmers Face Mental Health Crisis
By Jack Kelly, Wisconsin Watch
Many Wisconsin milk producers are overwhelmed, dogged by financial worries, a crushing workload, labor shortages and bad weather.
Read more
CDC Vaccine Locator
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information about local health departments, along with questions and answers for health care workers and consumers about the COVID-19 vaccination.
Extended Grace Period for IHS Facilities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the grace period previously granted to Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, and facilities operated by Tribes and Tribal organizations, to claim Medicaid reimbursement for services provided outside of the “four walls” of the facility to October 31, 2021. This bulletin also explains the steps Tribal facilities and states will need to take before the extended grace period expires in order to continue to be reimbursed for services provided outside the four walls of the facility after October 31st.
Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022 Finalized
This final rule updates the requirements for benefits and payments for issuers offering individual market Qualified Health Plans on the Federal Health Insurance Exchange in 2022. It clarifies that the network adequacy standards regulation does not apply to Qualified Health Plans that do not use provider networks and adds a new direct enrollment option for federally-facilitated Exchanges and State Exchanges.
Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan 2022 Rate Announcement
CMS has finalized the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans payment methodologies for CY 2022, including updates to the risk adjustment methodology and star rating system. Read more here.
Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Technical Changes Part II
In this rule, CMS is finalizing remaining proposals from the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plans final rule published June 2020, including those related to Special Needs Plans, Part D Coverage Gap Discount Program, opioid misuse and abuse, and the PACE program. Some provisions are effective in March and others will take effect in 2022.
New Rule on Patient Access to Prior Authorization Information
This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires Medicaid and CHIP programs, including managed care plans, and issuers of individual market Qualified Health Plans on the Federal Health Insurance Exchange to include in their patient access applications information about a patient’s pending and active prior authorization decisions in addition to claims and encounter data and laboratory results.