Recent Stories
Rate of children without insurance rises for first time since 2008

Anti-immigration rhetoric by the Trump administration may be a reason why the rate of children without insurance is on the rise for the first time since 2008, according to a new report.
CMS allows states to get creative with federal exchange funds under 1332 waivers

The CMS has issued four new examples on how states can use 1332 waivers to customize health insurance offerings. But a former agency official warns that using any of the new flexibilities could result in litigation.
HHS finalizes long-awaited 340B drug price rule

HHS finally will allow a ceiling price rule for the 340B program to kick in after years of delays. The price cap will go into effect on Jan. 1.
CMS threatens to revoke Vanderbilt's Medicare participation after patient death

Vanderbilt University Medical Center would be terminated from the Medicare program next month if it doesn't explain how it has corrected problems related to an incident where a patient died after receiving a large dose of the wrong medication.
CMS has a plan if federal judge strikes down ACA

CMS Administrator Seema Verma wants to reassure individual market enrollees that they won't lose access to care if a federal judge in Texas strikes down the Affordable Care Act.
CMS launches new consumer tool to compare surgery prices

The CMS has launched a new tool to make it easier for consumers to know their out-of-pocket costs for surgery.
FDA looks to revamp medical device approval pathway

The FDA wants to make substantial changes to the regulatory pathway through which most medical devices enter the U.S. market. The clearance procedure has been in place since 1976.
Hospitals urge CMS to continue requiring ASC patient transfer agreements

Hospitals are urging the CMS to not finalize a proposal that will end the need for a written transfer agreement between them and ambulatory surgery centers when an ASC surgical patient is facing a medical emergency.
FDA to review its human testing protocols

The FDA hired a research firm to find out if its current process for approving or denying human testing requests needs to be revamped.
CMS unveils new nursing home safety effort

The CMS is seeking to improve quality of care at nursing homes via a new safety training effort.
CMS will study quality measures at home health agencies

The CMS wants to make sure it's using the right quality measures to track care given by home health agencies, which costs the agency around $18 billion every year.
Improper Medicare payments hit lowest level in nearly a decade

More targeted enforcement activity and reduced regulatory burden led to a nearly $5 billion drop in improper Medicare payments in fiscal 2018.
CMS tells Congress federal law inhibits use of telehealth for seniors

Federal laws are preventing greater use of telehealth, according to a CMS report sent to Congress on Thursday.
CMS to ask if HIPAA is a barrier to care coordination

The CMS has drafted a request for information on what barriers HIPAA regulations are posing for care coordination efforts.
CMS may allow hospitals to pay for housing through Medicaid

The CMS might allow hospitals and health systems to pay directly for housing, healthy food or other solutions for the "whole person" through the Medicaid program, according to HHS Secretary Alex Azar.