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.

American College of Cardiology President Edward Fry, MD, spoke about recent Medicare cuts at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions conference in Chicago. 

The final rule updated the OPPS payment rate by 3.8% for calendar year 2023, which CMS based on the 4.1% projected hospital market basket percentage increase and adjusted for 0.3 percentage points for productivity. 

The American Hospital Association (AHA) has claimed victory after the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must immediately halt payment cuts to the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have dropped their legal challenge to the interim final rule independent dispute resolution process of the No Surprises Act.

The trial to decide if UnitedHealth Group will be allowed to pursue its $13 billion acquisition with Change Healthcare is underway.

The proposed payment increase of 2.7% doesn't make up for sequestration cuts, inflation, and other factors hitting hospitals, medical groups say. 

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.