Courts Rule in Federal Vaccine Mandate Cases
Last week, two courts issued rulings in separate lawsuits challenging federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates. As a reminder, there are three federal vaccine mandates: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandate that applies to hospitals and other facilities participating in the Medicare or Medicaid program A mandate that applies to some (not all) federal contractors The federal OSHA mandate that applies to businesses with more than […]
CHA Comments on Revised FDA Draft Compounding Guidance
CHA has submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its revised draft guidance on hospital and health system compounding under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In the letter, CHA applauds the agency for revising its earlier 2016 draft guidance to eliminate the previously proposed policy that would have established a one-mile radius requirement as criteria for medication distribution by a hospital or health […]
Federal Court Temporarily Halts CMS Vaccine Mandate Interim Final Rule
On Nov. 30, a federal district court in Louisiana issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking enforcement of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) interim final rule requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in most health care settings that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement.
CMS, OSHA Issue Regulations on COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an interim final rule with comment period, requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in most health care settings that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement, including but not limited to hospitals, dialysis facilities, ambulatory surgical settings, home health agencies, and long-term care facilities.
New E-Prescribing Laws Take Effect Jan. 1, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented in 2009 the Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program, which uses incentive payments and payment adjustments to encourage the use of qualified electronic prescribing systems. For questions regarding the eRx Incentive Program or eRx payment adjustments, or for assistance submitting a hardship exemption request, contact the QualityNet Help Desk at (866) 288-8912 (TTY 1-877-715-6222) or via qnetsupport@sdps.org. For additional information and resources, visit www.CMS.gov/ERxIncentive
CMS Releases Billing Codes for Johnson & Johnson, Moderna Booster Shots
On Oct. 20, the Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines to allow booster doses for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released new billing coding for the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. Current billing codes, payment allowances, and effective dates are available online.
CDC Issues Operational Planning Information to Prepare for Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued operational planning information to prepare jurisdictions for the eventual distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines to the pediatric population.
Hear about Medi-Cal Rx Transition During CHA Webinar
Given the ongoing challenges associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has decided to delay the full implementation of Medi-Cal Rx until April 1, 2021.
FDA Revises Draft Guidance on Hospital and Health System Drug Compounding
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued revised draft guidance on hospital and health system compounding under section 503A, updating draft guidance released in 2016. As advocated for by CHA, the FDA has revised the 2016 guidance to remove a requirement that would have limited the distribution of compounded drugs to health care facilities located within a one-mile radius of the compounding pharmacy.
CMS to Pay for COVID-19 Booster Shots
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced will pay the full cost of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shots to providers without cost-sharing for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program beneficiaries.