Certain 340B Hospitals to Receive Lump-Sum Settlement
What’s happening: A final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contains a remedy for the agency’s 340B-acquired drug payment policy that was in effect from 2018 to 2022.
What else to know: Eligible hospitals will receive a lump-sum settlement for claims, including beneficiary cost sharing, as a result of CMS’ invalidated policy that reduced payments for separately payable outpatient drugs acquired under the 340B program.
Payments to Renal Disease Facilities Increasing for 2024
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ final rule details the end-stage renal disease prospective payment system for calendar year 2024.
What else to know: The base rate will increase to $271.02.
CHA: Nursing Home Staffing Proposal is Too Rigid
What’s happening: CHA commented on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed staffing requirements for long-term care facilities.
What else to know: CHA supports the establishment of standards, but specific thresholds don’t allow flexibility for facilities to establish a staffing mix best suited for their patients.
Changes Proposed for Independent Dispute Resolution Process
What’s happening: A proposed rule from the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury aims to improve the No Surprises Act (NSA) independent dispute resolution (IDR) process.
What else to know: Comments on the proposal, which is in response to court rulings that held key provisions of the interim final rules establishing the IDR process impermissible under the NSA, are due Jan. 2.
Hospitals Have 90 Days to Comply with Off-Site Clinic Requirements
What’s happening: Guidance from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) affirms it rescinded a COVID-19 public health emergency era waiver related to the 340B Drug Discount Program and off-site clinics.
Penalties Proposed for Health Information Blocking
What’s happening: A long-awaited proposed rule from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology establishes provider disincentives for information blocking.
What else to know: Hospitals found to engage in this activity would not meet meaningful use requirements. Comments on the proposed rule are due Jan. 2.
CHA Comments on Proposed Changes to Independent Dispute Resolution Fees
CHA submitted comments to the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury (tri-agencies) on their proposed changes to the No Surprises Act independent dispute resolution (IDR) fees. This was in response to the recent court ruling that found the tri-agencies’ approach to setting the administrative fee was impermissible.
FDA to Host Webinar on Proposed Rule for Laboratory Developed Tests
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold a webinar at 10 a.m. (PT) on Oct. 31 to discuss its proposed rule for laboratory developed tests (LDTs).
Drug Enforcement Administration Extends Telemedicine Rules Through End of 2024
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has extended its COVID-19 pandemic rules for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine through Dec. 31, 2024. The regulation is effective Nov. 11.
FDA Issues Proposed Rule on Laboratory Developed Tests
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a proposed rule on the regulation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs). Comments on the proposed rule are due Dec. 4.