Billy Wynne

HRSA Invests $19 Million to Enhance Maternal Health

By Billy Wynne / October 16, 2024

HRSA Invests $19 Million to Enhance Maternal Health The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced $19 million to enhance maternal health across 15 states, addressing the urgent public health challenge of rising maternal mortality rates and significant disparities, particularly among marginalized communities. This funding aims to tackle immediate health concerns while fostering long-term improvements…

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Commissioners Discuss MA Supplemental Benefits; Emphasize That Value is Unclear

By Billy Wynne / October 11, 2024

Commissioners Discuss MA Supplemental Benefits; Emphasize That Value is Unclear The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened aĀ sessionĀ on supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage (MA).Ā This first session on supplemental benefits focused on financing, and there will be another session in the spring ahead of a chapter in the June 2025 report to Congress. Commissioners agreed that…

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Commissioners Outline Workplan for Final Report on Home Health PPS Impact

By Billy Wynne / October 11, 2024

Commissioners Outline Workplan for Final Report on Home Health PPS Impact The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened to discuss its workplan for the mandated final report to Congress regarding the impact of recent changes to the home health prospective payment system (PPS). Under the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) of 2018, the Commission is tasked…

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2025 MA and Part D Star Ratings Released; Average Ratings Decrease from 2024

By Billy Wynne / October 10, 2024

2025 MA and Part D Star Ratings Released; Average Ratings Decrease from 2024 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2025 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Star Ratings, which measure the quality of health and prescription drug services received by beneficiaries. What is it. The Star Ratings are intended to assist…

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FTC Issues Final Rule to Strengthen Premerger Notification Rules

By Billy Wynne / October 10, 2024

FTC Issues Final Rule to Strengthen Premerger Notification Rules The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a final rule to amend the Premerger Notification Rules under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act (HSR Act) (press release). These changes aim to improve the effectiveness of antitrust reviews by requiring parties involved in mergers and acquisitions to provide…

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Agency Releases RFI and Sample List for the $2 Drug List Model

By Billy Wynne / October 9, 2024

Agency Releases RFI and Sample List for the $2 Drug List Model Today, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released a request for information (RFI) and a sample list of prescription drugs that the agency intends to include in its $2 Drug List Model (press release). What is it. Under the $2 Drug…

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Behavioral Health Round-Up

By Billy Wynne / October 8, 2024

Behavioral Health Round-Up Below please find information on recent funding awards and new technical assistance centers from the Biden Administration. SAMHSA Announces $68.5 for Behavioral Health Education, Training and Community Programs The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has recently awarded $68.5 million…

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CMS Seeks Public Comment on eCQM Timely Follow-Up for Colorectal Cancer and Breast Cancer Detection, Due October 15th

By Billy Wynne / October 7, 2024

CMS Seeks Public Comment on eCQM Timely Follow-Up for Colorectal Cancer and Breast Cancer Detection, Due October 15th The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is inviting public comments on electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) related to timely follow-up for: Abnormal Screening Mammograms for Breast Cancer Detection: This measure evaluates the percentage of women…

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TEP Nominations to Develop and Maintain eCQMs, Due October 29th

By Billy Wynne / October 7, 2024

TEP Nominations to Develop and Maintain eCQMs, Due October 29th The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seekingĀ nominations for a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) to assist in the development and maintenance of electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs). This initiative aims to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery by ensuring that eCQMs are effectively…

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Proposed Rule for CY 2026 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters

By Billy Wynne / October 4, 2024

Proposed Rule for CY 2026 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2026 proposed rule (fact sheet) ā€“ a wide-ranging rule affecting Marketplaces and qualified health plans in the individual and small group markets, as well as requirements…

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