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.

FDA panel to review first heart failure device of its kind
The shunt device being reviewed showed a 52% reduction in hospitalizations and favorable trends in mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
Medicare MRI reimbursement has plummeted 77% since 2003, when adjusting for inflation
Exams are being delivered faster, thanks to abbreviated protocols, but experts contend insurers should not cut MRI pay because of such efficiencies.
UnitedHealthcare reimburses its Optum providers at a 17% premium, study finds
The findings are from research conducted by the Commonwealth Fund that looked at nationwide provider reimbursement data. While the sample size is small, it shows the insurer tends to favor its own doctors.
Judge protects New York ‘shield’ rule against Texas abortion lawsuit
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who sought an injunction against abortion medications being shipped to women in his state.
Experts caution patients on the dangers of boutique fetal ultrasounds
Due to the elective, rather than diagnostic, nature of these exams, operators are not required to complete formal training or be registered if the scans are done in privately owned entities.

Amazon’s OTC business offers pills at steep discount

Retail giant Amazon is selling over-the-counter (OTC) medicines at lower prices than its brick-and-mortar competitors.

Trump’s Supreme Court nominee could face questions on healthcare record

Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s pick to replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and a D.C. Appeals Court judge, will likely face questions on his healthcare record during confirmation hearings.

CMS will allow participants to withdraw from new bundles in March 2019

CMS has announced participants in the Bundled Payment for Care Improvement (BPCI) Advanced model will be able to retroactively withdraw beginning in March 2019.

Trump attacks Pfizer after drug price increase

President Donald Trump lashed out at drug manufacturer Pfizer after the company raised prices for 100 drugs by an average of 9 percent, effective July 1.

Arizona law intended to limit opioid prescriptions may hurt chronic pain patients

States are desperate to act in the national opioid epidemic, but laws limiting opioid prescriptions and doses are negatively impacting chronic pain patients and leaving doctors conflicted about care delivery, NPR reported.

MITA urges Trump to exempt medical imaging devices from China tariffs

The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA) is urging the Trump administration to exempt medical imaging devices and technology from the recently enacted China Section 301 tariffs.

Sexual harassment lawsuit includes claim that hospital cancelled veterans’ imaging exams

The James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Florida, is being investigated for allegedly canceling hundreds of imaging exams without following safety regulations and then attempting to cover it up.

Trump administration halts ACA risk adjustment payments, potentially upending insurance markets

On July 7, CMS announced it will stop making risk adjustment payments, which were designed as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to help insurers that accept more high-cost patients avoid major losses.

Policy & Regulations

FDA panel to review first heart failure device of its kind

Medicare MRI reimbursement has plummeted 77% since 2003, when adjusting for inflation

UnitedHealthcare reimburses its Optum providers at a 17% premium, study finds

Judge protects New York ‘shield’ rule against Texas abortion lawsuit

Experts caution patients on the dangers of boutique fetal ultrasounds