In recent years, providers and practice groups have been worrying about Meaningful Use (MU) and gaining knowledge on using certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to avoid payment penalties, earn incentives and increase practice efficiency. Now, with the release of the final rule for MACRA payment reform, physicians will have two options for payment paths:…
Trump Administration Issues Final Rule on Stricter Obamacare Enrollment
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—The Trump administration on Thursday issued a final rule that will shorten the Obamacare enrollment period and give insurers more of what they say they need in the individual insurance market, likely making it harder for some consumers to purchase insurance, healthcare experts say. It could also raise out-of-pocket medical expenses, the experts say,…
Maryland Lawmakers Approve Bill to Fight Drug Price-Gouging
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Maryland lawmakers have passed a first-in-the-nation measure that lets the state attorney general sue generic drugmakers that sharply raise prices in a move aimed at fighting what legislators call “price-gouging.” The bill overwhelmingly was approved by the Democratic-controlled legislature on Monday and hailed by Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh as a way to check…
Uncertain Fate of Obamacare Causes Some Hospitals to Halt Projects, Hiring
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Uncertainty surrounding the Republican plan to replace Obamacare is forcing some U.S. hospitals to delay expansion plans, cut costs, or take on added risk to borrow money for capital investment projects, dealing an economic blow to these facilities and the towns they call home. Hospitals typically lay out multi-year operating plans that prioritize investments,…
Republicans Revamp U.S. Health Bill, Boost Benefits to Older Americans
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—U.S. House Republicans are working on changes to their healthcare overhaul bill to provide more generous tax credits for older Americans and add a work requirement for the Medicaid program for the poor, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said on Sunday. Ryan said Republican leaders still planned to bring the healthcare bill to a…
Scant Consumer Information in Local TV Coverage of Obamacare
(Reuters Health)—Local TV news coverage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), often called Obamacare, generally focused more on politics than on information consumers can use to help choose insurance, a recent study suggests. Overall, less than half of ACA-related news coverage focused on health insurance products, while much of the rest of the spots concentrated…
OIG Releases 2017 Work Plan: A Summary
Each fall, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) puts out its Work Plan for the upcoming fiscal year to summarize its initiatives and priorities for new and ongoing work of HSS programs. Below is a summary of the key areas the OIG will focus on in 2017: Drug…
Sen. Susan Collins: Trump’s Obamacare Order ‘Confusing;’ Replacement Law Needed
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Me.) called President Donald Trump’s executive order against Obamacare “very confusing” on Monday, saying whatever actions the Trump administration takes, legislation will still be needed to replace the health insurance law. “We really don’t know yet what the impact (of the order) will be,” Collins told reporters, adding that it…
New Physician Payment Reforms Highlight Need for Quality Coding, Accurate Documentation
To be an effective practice owner, it is necessary to understand the financial circumstances and environment of the practice’s operation. Well-managed practices prevent the loss of time and money. Therefore, to improve productivity and operating efficiencies, you need to have a basic understanding of billing and payment initiatives that will impact the practice’s bottom line….
U.S. Insurer Lobby Group Seeks Delay in 2018 Obamacare Deadline
NEW YORK (Reuters)—The largest lobbying group for health insurers has asked U.S. lawmakers weighing the fate of Obamacare to push back the due date for 2018 individual insurance submissions to regulators in hopes of obtaining greater clarity on the program’s future later on. Republican leaders including President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch…