CMS proposes to cover acupuncture for back pain studies

Medicare may cover acupuncture for patients with chronic low back pain enrolled in clinical trials or other CMS-approved studies.  »

More clinicians received MIPS bonuses in year 2

Nearly 98% of clinicians who participated in MIPS last year will receive a positive payment adjustment in 2020. At the same time, MIPS lost nearly 142,000 clinicians.

CMS proposes home health agency pay raise

The CMS' proposal would boost payment rates for home health agencies in 2020 and implement several changes to the way it pays for the services they provide.

Trump administration abandons plans to limit drug rebates

The Trump administration has withdrawn its proposal to eliminate drug rebates in Medicare and Medicaid plans, striking another significant blow to its broader plans to curb rising drug costs.

Rural hospitals support wage index reform

Hospital presidents and employees, predominantly from rural areas, support proposed changes to the "fundamentally flawed" system the CMS uses to set hospital payments, saying the current formula has led to closures.

Air ambulance charges study could boost Senate surprise bill legislation

Median charges for air ambulance services compared to Medicare rates soared by 46% to 61% from 2012 to 2016.

N.C. standoff could leave 700,000 without in-network hospitals

The more than 700,000 teachers and other state employees who receive health coverage from the North Carolina State Health Plan could soon face higher medical bills when visiting hospitals in the state.

Piedmont now requires 25% advance payment for self-pay patients

Piedmont Healthcare's new advance payment policy requires patients who will pay their entire bills out-of-pocket to pay 25% before they can receive care.

Dignity Health and Ooda Health expand revenue-cycle pilot

The health system and the healthcare billing-focused startup are expanding their pilot to two hospitals and a physician practice in Sacramento, Calif., building off its current program at two Arizona hospitals.

Trump transparency order puts 'shoppable' healthcare in HHS hands

HHS has 60 days to decide how much hospitals will have to disclose about their rates for shoppable procedures—and how helpful those price transparency disclosures will be for patients.