The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Contract Year (CY) 2025 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Part D) final rule (press release, fact sheet). What it is. The final rule includes proposals intended to enhance beneficiary protections, advance health equity, and improve access to behavioral health… (Llamas, McClurg, Slifer, Colocho, Marceno, Eisen, April 5, 2024) #Medicare Advantage

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) held a presentation to discuss the Office’s Catalytic Program on Utilizing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The catalytic program is intended to support health care providers in taking advantage of the tax credits, grants, and other supports made available by the IRA. OCCHE is hosting a series… (McClurg, April 4, 2024) #Hospitals

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security convened a field hearing to examine the impact of private equity (PE) on access to health care, particularly in light of the recent Steward Health Care “financial crisis” in Massachusetts. This hearing aimed to delve into the broader discussion surrounding the adverse effects of private… (Eisen, 1/1/70) #Costs, #Delivery Reform, #Health Equity, #Hospitals, #Quality, #Rural Health, #Workforce

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report addressing the critical shortage of behavioral health providers within the Medicare and Medicaid systems. This shortage is particularly concerning given the significant demand for behavioral health services across the United States, with over 160 million individuals residing in areas designated as mental health… (Eisen, 1/1/70) #COVID-19, #Delivery Reform, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Prevention

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a comprehensive white paper aimed at addressing the persistent issue of drug shortages within the nation’s health care system (press release). The paper not only outlines the steps already taken by HHS to mitigate shortages but also proposes additional policy solutions for consideration by policymakers. The white paper underscores the critical importance of ensuring… (Colocho, April 2, 2024) #Costs, #Drug Pricing, #Generic Drugs, #Hospitals, #Medical Devices, #Pharmacy Benefit Managers, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Transparency

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies (press release, fact sheet) What it is. The Rate Notice addresses a wide array of MA and Part D-related policies and includes the net rate update for MA plans. Overall, CMS finalizes a… (Slifer, April 1, 2024) #Medicare Advantage, #Medicare Part D, #Quality, #Reinsurance, #Risk Adjustment, #Risk Corridors

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced new actions to make it easier for people to keep their health coverage as states conduct Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility renewals, which restarted after pausing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Administration believes these actions will allow… (Marceno, March 29, 2024) #Health Equity, #Public Health

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced revisions to Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (Directive No. 15), which outlines standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting federal data on race and ethnicity. These revisions, the first since 1997, aim to improve the quality, accuracy, and relevance of federal data on race and ethnicity, ensuring it reflects the diversity of the country. The revisions follow… (Colocho, March 29, 2024) #Health Equity, #Public Health

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the fiscal year (FY) 2025 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule (fact sheet).   What it is. The wide-ranging proposed rule would update the prospective payment rates, the outlier threshold, and the wage index for Medicare inpatient hospital services provided by Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities (IPFs) for discharges… (Llamas, Eisen, March 28, 2024) #Hospitals, #Mental and Behavioral Health

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued the first government-wide policy aimed at mitigating risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and maximizing its benefits (fact sheet). The finalized policy document for the use of AI within federal agencies is a response to President Biden’s executive order on AI, which directed various actions to bolster AI safety, security, privacy protection, equity,… (Colocho, March 28, 2024) #Health Equity, #Health Information Technology, #Privacy, #Transparency, #Workforce