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 boosts Medicare Advantage reimbursement as Dr. Oz takes over
CMS more than doubled the raise in payments for covered services proposed by Biden, increasing the amount from 2.23% to 5.06%.
Judge halts HHS’s $11B cuts to state healthcare programs
In issuing an injunction, a federal district court in Rhode Island ruled that states and their populations would suffer irreparable harm if the funds allocated by Congress were not granted to them.
Medicare Advantage fails to cut radiation therapy costs, despite heavy prior authorization burden
MA cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy tallied higher spending and longer average treatment duration compared to their counterparts on traditional Medicare.
Medicare instructs contractors to begin covering CT colorectal cancer screening
CMS emphasized that all coinsurance and deductibles should be waived for the exam, noting that MACs have until July 1 to comply with the change.
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.

ACA has helped healthcare stocks boom

The Affordable Care Act has helped launch healthcare stocks into the stratosphere over the last eight years, contrary to what some critics of the healthcare law believed would happen.

New Medicare Advantage plan launches with $300M in funding

Devoted Health, a new Medicare Advantage plan, has officially launched after securing $300 million in a Series B funding round, the company announced.

MITA praises new research calling for repeal of medical device tax

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) has issued a statement in support of new research from the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) focused on issues with the medical device tax and why the PRI believes that tax should be repealed.

Healthcare M&A slows 38% in third quarter

Mergers and acquisition activity among hospitals and health systems is showing signs of a slowdown, according to the latest findings from financial consulting firm Kaufman, Hall & Associates.

Bloomberg: Athenahealth has five potential bidders

Athenahealth, a network-enabled services company for hospitals and ambulatory clients, has bids from at least five entities, according to a report from Bloomberg.

FDA, DHS expand ongoing efforts to tackle medical device cybersecurity

The agreement—announced in an FDA press release published Oct. 16—is meant to increase information sharing about medical device cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats, enhance shared technical capabilities and coordinate appropriate device testing.

Walmart considering selling marijuana as medicine in Canada

As Canada is set to legalize marijuana use on Oct. 17, Walmart—the world’s largest employer—is seriously considering adding cannabis products alongside other medications in its aisles in the country, according to Hemp Industry Daily.

Drug pricing transparency rule has no teeth

HHS proposed a new rule to require drug manufacturers to publish prices of medicines in television ads. However, the rule has no enforcement mechanism by the agency and relies on self-policing.

Policy & Regulations

CMS boosts Medicare Advantage reimbursement as Dr. Oz takes over

Judge halts HHS’s $11B cuts to state healthcare programs

Medicare Advantage fails to cut radiation therapy costs, despite heavy prior authorization burden

Medicare instructs contractors to begin covering CT colorectal cancer screening

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