Updates & Analysis

On May 24th, the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee conducted a full committee markup to consider a series of bills, including H.R. 3561, the PATIENT Act of 2023. Among other reforms, the PATIENT Act would create a new requirement for hospitals, large physician groups, and certain other health care providers to report information about their ownership across several…

In this update: Administration Updates President Biden Officially Nominates Dr. Monica Bertagnolli to Lead NIH Legislative Updates Senator Cassidy Releases Draft Legislation that Would Establish Integrated Duals Plans and PACE in All States Federal Agencies MACs Will Make No Changes to Remote Patient Monitoring Coverage in Medicare HHS and ED Announce Initiatives to Improve Health…

In this update:  Federal Agencies Covid-19 PHE Ended on May 11th; CMS Publishes Guidance on Telehealth and Medicaid DEA Publishes Rule Temporarily Extending Telehealth Flexibilities for Prescribing Controlled Substances CMS Seeks Public Comment on CCBHC PPS Modifications FDA Recommends Individual Risk Assessment for Blood Donations HHS OIG Publishes Report on Medicare Improper Payments for Psychotherapy under…

In this update: Administration Updates Biden Administration to End Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement for Federal Workers Federal Agencies Rochelle Walensky Announces Departure from CDC FDA Takes Steps to Advance Decentralized Trials DEA to Temporarily Continue Telehealth Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Substances CMS Issues Additional Guidance on End of the PHE CMS Releases Innovation Center Model…

In this update: Federal Agencies CMS Proposes Two Rules to Improve Access and Quality in Medicaid and CHIP CMS Tightens Hospital Transparency Enforcement Processes HHS Releases Proposed Rule to Expand Coverage for DACA Recipients CMS Approves Illinois SPA Expanding Medicaid Reimbursement for School-Based Services Other Updates GAO Releases Report on Electronic Health Information Exchange Kaiser…

In this update:  Administration Updates Biden to Nominate Dr. Monica Bertagnolli as NIH Director Federal Agencies HHS Finalizes 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for Marketplace Plans CMS Announces New Medicaid Reentry Section 1115 Demonstration Opportunity HHS Offers Resources to Address Cyberattacks FDA Authorizes Additional Bivalent Covid-19 Vaccine Doses for Older or Immunocompromised Individuals…

In this update:  Administration Updates Biden Announces Expanded Health Care Coverage for DACA Recipients Biden Signs Resolution Ending Section 201 Covid-19 National Emergency Federal Agencies HHS Issues Proposed Rule to Further Implement 21st Century Cures Act HHS Issues Proposed Rule on Confidentiality in Reproductive Health Care CMS Issues FY 2024 Hospital IPPS and LTCH PPS Proposed…

In this update:  Federal Agencies CMS Finalizes 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rule CMMI Issues More Details on MA VBID Model Extension CMS Proposes 2024 Skilled Nursing Facility PPS Rule CMS Proposes 2024 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility PPS Rule CMS Proposes 2024 Inpatient Psychiatric Facility PPS Rule HRSA Publishes Policy Brief and Recommendations for PACE…

On April 5th, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the procurement of pilot Home Based Crisis Intervention (HBCI) teams serving youth with co-occurring mental health and intellectual and/or developmental disorders (I/DD). HBCI teams will serve children/youth ages 5 to 21 years who are either at…

In March 2023, the New York State (NYS) Department of Health (DOH) posted an updated version of the Children’s Waiver Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) provider manual. The attached summary provides a broad overview of key changes in the updated HCBS manual, with a focus on areas of concern for HCBS providers, Health Home…

In this update:  Administration Updates Biden to Sign Measure Ending Section 201 Covid National Emergency Federal Agencies CMS Finalizes 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement, Phasing in New Risk Adjustment Model CMS Proposes FY 2024 Hospice Payment Update Narcan Nasal Spray Approved for Nonprescription Use Other Updates Medicare Board of Trustees Releases Annual…

On March 18th, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the following two Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs): Planning, Development, and Implementation Grants (to establish new CCBHCs); and  Improvement and Advancement Grants (to enhance and support existing CCBHCs) . CCBHCs provide comprehensive person- and family-centered…