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.

CMS recalls furloughed workers ahead of ACA open enrollment
Despite the ongoing government shutdown, some 3,000 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services staff will be returning to the office just in time for Americans to begin looking for health coverage on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The agency said the employees will be paid for the days they work.
Anthem threatens hospitals who use out-of-network radiology providers
“When you thought insurers couldn’t get more evil, they come up with something even worse than you anticipated,” one physician said.
Medicare lifts hold on claim processing amid government shutdown
CMS announced Oct. 21 it has instructed all Medicare Administrative Contractors to lift the hold and begin processing claims dated Oct. 1 and later.
FDA clears AI solution for identifying large vessel occlusions on CTA
If left untreated, LVOs can cause ischemic strokes. The algorithm has the potential to significantly reduce time to treatment in these emergency scenarios.
Cardiology groups among the voices concerned about more medical device tariffs
When the Trump administration requested public input on adding more tariffs for PPE and all medical devices, hundreds of public comments were submitted. One common concern among those responses is that healthcare providers could be left with significantly higher costs.

5 reasons the time is not right for mandating limits on radiologists’ workload, duty or speed

Against the backdrop of radiologists getting sued for medical negligence after allegedly reading images too hastily, recent years have seen pointed calls for new radiology rules, requirements or regulations.

AMA declares climate change a public health crisis

The AMA says there will be numerous major public health impacts if global temperatures continue to rise, adopting three new policies to address this ongoing trend.

Refined decision aid proves fruitful for patients with kidney masses

Complex renal cysts or solid renal masses appear in 13% to 27% of individuals who receive abdominal imaging.

7 ways cath labs can work through the contrast media shortage without delays

When the ongoing contrast media shortage first started impacting health systems, one group in Ohio pledged not to delay a single procedure in its cath labs.

ACR: FDA evidence backing thyroid monitoring in peds after ICM use is 'weak'

The ACR statement also brought to light some of the unintended consequences of the FDA’s contrast media safety warning.

Hospitals claim victory in Supreme Court Medicare payment decision

The court case stems from HHS’ 2018 final rule establishing separate reimbursement rates for hospitals that serve low-income or rural populations through the 340B program and all other hospitals.

PHOTO GALLERY from AMA House of Delegates 2022 meeting

Here are images from the American Medical Association (AMA) 2022 House of Delegates (HOD) meeting in Chicago, June 10-15. This was the first time the HOD met in two and a half years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ischemic stroke CT scan showing color coded blood flow for early and later arterial and venous contrast phases and areas of blocked blood flow. Image courtesy of RSNA

4 pressing ‘unknowns’ about sex, gender differences in stroke care, outcomes: American Heart/Stroke Associations

Because cerebral vessels are smaller and potentially more fragile in women than in men, future research into mechanical clot removal for stroke treatment should be “sufficiently powered to detect sex-specific differences in neuroimaging profiles and treatment techniques.”

Policy & Regulations

CMS recalls furloughed workers ahead of ACA open enrollment

Anthem threatens hospitals who use out-of-network radiology providers

Medicare lifts hold on claim processing amid government shutdown

FDA clears AI solution for identifying large vessel occlusions on CTA

Cardiology groups among the voices concerned about more medical device tariffs