Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies. 

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Healthcare groups react to prior authorization proposed rule

Healthcare groups are largely excited by a new proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that aims to streamline prior authorization and reduce burden on healthcare providers.

Ed Gaines, JD, CCP, vice president of regulatory affairs and industry liaison, Zotec Partners, discusses the No Surprises Act on radiology at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2022 meeting. Gaines works with RSNA on billing and Medicare issues and spoke in sessions at the RSNA 2022 meeting. Insurance companies have weaponized the No Surprises Act in an effort to cut their costs, he said.

VIDEO: Insurance companies have weaponized the No Surprises Act, may impact patient care

Ed Gaines, JD, CCP, vice president of regulatory affairs and industry liaison, Zotec Partners, discusses the impact of the No Surprises Act on healthcare and medical imaging at the RSNA 2022 meeting

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CMS proposes rule on prior authorization

Prior authorization, which requires healthcare providers to get approval from insurance providers before giving certain treatments to patients, has been long-hailed as extremely burdensome to physicians, even causing delays in patient care.

Most devices implanted during LAAO procedures are oversized—and patients benefit

Oversized devices are becoming more common as time goes on, which suggests operators are growing increasingly comfortable with this treatment choice.

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How a newly secured 3D printing patent could stabilize radioisotope production

Recently, a patent for 3D printed uranium targets was secured by the National Center for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) in Swierk, Poland, and it could increase the production of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) globally. 

Virtual reading room remains popular post-pandemic among certain radiologists, referrers

A large academic medical center launched a virtual radiology reading room in 2020 to comply with COVID-related social distancing guidelines. Today the room is still something of a hit.

FDA changes indications for Impella RP heart pump after dramatic shift in mortality rate

The Impella RP System is still associated with significant benefits, the FDA said, but there are certain high-risk patients who should no longer be eligible for treatment.

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Integra LifeSciences to acquire SIA in deal worth up to $140M

Integra LifeSciences Holding Corporation, a global medical technology company, has agreed to acquire Surgical Innovation Associates (SIA), which is known as the manufacturer of monofilament mesh for plastic and reconstructive surgery. The deal is valued up to $140 million.