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.

Rural America lost 3,300 medical practices in five years, report shows
A data analysis from the Physicians Advocacy Institute and Avalere Health found corporate buyouts are leaving patients in low-population areas with fewer options, as doctors are opting to go elsewhere.
CMS proposes Medicare coverage for T-TEER
CMS has proposed covering tricuspid TEER for patients who present with symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation despite optimal medical therapy. The agency still has questions about the available data, however, and is seeking public comments as it makes its final decision.
Healthcare AI newswatch: Fail-fast AI skunk works, writerly doctors avoiding AI scribes, more
Is trial and error any way for a sprawling health system to roll out AI? Duke Health’s chief medical information officer believes so.
FTC halts case against PBMs, citing lack of commissioners
The FTC has back-burnered its price collusion case against CVS Caremark, Optum Rx and Express Scripts after significant staff departures at the agency left it uncertain how to proceed.
Dr. Oz confirmed by Senate to lead CMS in a 53-45 vote
The confirmation vote mostly fell on party lines. The Emmy-award-winning TV personality will replace Chiquita W. Brooks-LaSure, who has held the position since 2021.

Cigna stops requiring prior authorization for certain CT imaging exams

Imaging advocates praised the policy change, which took effect on Monday, Feb. 1.

Surprise billing ban will constrain cash flow for radiology services providers, Moody’s predicts

Any physician firm that bills patients directly for their work will have “some level of exposure,” the investor service noted.

Biden to undo Trump-era healthcare policies

The Biden-Harris administration is planning to sign two executive orders to provide healthcare relief for those needing insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as undo some Trump administration policies that undermined the Affordable Care Act.

What the typical radiology practice can expect in pay following 2021 Medicare fee schedule updates

A full-service practice might see a 4.24% decrease in the professional component of reimbursement and a 1.78% drop on the global side, according to a new analysis.

American College of Radiology urges Senate to confirm Xavier Becerra as next HHS chief

Conservatives, meanwhile, have criticized the selection, citing his history of defending the Affordable Care Act and abortion rights.

Hospital suspends mammography services that posed ‘serious risk to human health’

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration first revealed the imaging issue in a recently shared update.

More evidence hospitals grudgingly complying on price transparency for ‘shoppable services’

Another quick field check has found the federal rule requiring hospitals to show their prices for shoppable services meeting with only spotty compliance since it went into effect Jan. 1.

Large health system paying record $7.75M for carelessness with pain pills

Fifteen-hospital McLaren Health Care has agreed to pay $7.75 million for illegally distributing prescription painkillers.

Policy & Regulations

Rural America lost 3,300 medical practices in five years, report shows

CMS proposes Medicare coverage for T-TEER

Healthcare AI newswatch: Fail-fast AI skunk works, writerly doctors avoiding AI scribes, more

FTC halts case against PBMs, citing lack of commissioners

Dr. Oz confirmed by Senate to lead CMS in a 53-45 vote