Special Bulletin

The American Hospital Association (AHA)  sends members Special Bulletins on the latest health care news, legislation, and advocacy opportunities for hospitals and health systems.

House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) today unveiled the committees budget plan for fiscal year (FY) 2017, which would reduce Medicare spending by $449 billion and Medicaid and other health care spending by $1.03 trillion over 10 years.
On March 8, CMS issued a proposed rule to test new models for how Medicare Part B pays for prescription drugs provided in physician offices and hospital outpatient departments, and by durable medical equipment suppliers.
CMS Feb. 29 issued its final rule implementing standards that govern health insurance issuers and the Health Insurance Marketplaces for 2017.
CMS late Friday issued its advance notice of proposed changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D rates and payment polices for calendar year 2017.
On Feb. 12, as urged by the AHA, CMS released a recertification guidance and checklist to state survey agency directors indicating that states may immediately use alternative ways to document that a critical access hospital is a necessary provider.
President Obama today in his fiscal year 2017 budget request to Congress proposed nearly $420 billion in reductions to Medicare payments to providers.
On January 19, CMS, issued new guidance related to certain special enrollment periods available to consumers purchasing coverage on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) late last night unveiled a $1.1 trillion spending package to fund the government for the remainder of fiscal year 2016.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a notice with comment period  that the agency believes provides additional justification for the 0.2 percent cut to hospitals’ inpatient payments made in conjunction with the agency’s implementation of the “two-midnight policy.” The…