Protecting Consumers AND Providers? No Surprise
As intended, the No Surprises Act is protecting consumers from unexpected medical bills. But it’s also protecting someone else: providers. In the three years since the No Surprises Act’s Independent Dispute Resolution process was implemented, providers have won about 85 [...]
Hospital Financial Progress in Jeopardy
While hospitals and health systems in general continue to move closer to their pre-pandemic level of financial performance, they now face challenges that threaten to undermine that progress. While they have slowly gotten their labor costs under control, providers now [...]
Misinterpretation of Shutdown Plagues Telehealth
When federal authorization for Medicare-covered telehealth services lapsed at the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30, it was only supposed to affect traditional Medicare participants. But not everyone got the message. Some providers, confused about the lapse [...]
Federal Health Policy Update for October 9
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for October 3-9. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Please note that most HHS and other health care-related agencies have indicated that [...]
States Looking to Medicaid For Spending Cuts?
Amid growing budget pressures, a number of states have reduced Medicaid payments to providers – and others are looking to Medicaid as a possible source of savings. So far, Idaho and North Carolina have reduced Medicaid payments to providers while [...]
States Mull Pursuit of Rural Health Transformation Money
Support to grow their health care workforce, including new or expanded medical education programs to attract doctors and nurses. Doing more to address chronic medical conditions. Better coordination of care and greater use of technology. Making greater use of telehealth. [...]
Medicaid Work Rule May Hit Chronically Ill
The introduction of a work requirement for Medicaid eligibility may have the greatest impact on Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic illnesses. According to a new analysis of the approximately five million people who are likely to lose their Medicaid eligibility between [...]
Dispute Resolution Continues Despite Shutdown
The No Surprises Act’s Independent Dispute Resolution process continues during the federal government shutdown. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a notice advising disputing parties to continue submitting disputes for resolutions but warns that a prolonged shutdown [...]
Federal Health Policy Update for October 3
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for September 26 to October 3. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Health Care During the Government Shutdown With the federal government [...]
Health Care During the Government Shutdown
With the federal government technically without spending authority now that FY 2026 has begun without an approved FY 2026 budget, the federal role in health care will change in some respects and be greatly reduced in others. The Department of [...]
