On November 1, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published its CY 2020 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System final rule. The final rule implements a number of significant changes to payment policies and rates for services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries in hospital outpatient … Continue reading
On June 18, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the 340B program, entitled “Drug Discount Program: Characteristics of Hospitals Participating and Not Participating in the 340B Program.” The 340B Drug Discount Program requires drug manufacturers to provide discounts on outpatient drugs to certain categories of eligible hospitals. Hospitals that serve … Continue reading
On July 11, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the 340B program, entitled “Opportunities to Improve the 340B Drug Pricing Program.” In his opening statement, Subcommittee Chairman Michael Burgess (R-TX) stated that it is reasonable to review the 340B program because healthcare has “evolved significantly” since … Continue reading
On March 15, 2018 the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on the 340B program. In his opening statement, Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) highlighted the expansion of the 340B program over the past five years and stated that Congress needs “a better understanding of its purpose, and why the 340B … Continue reading
Payments under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) remain uncertain in many states without an extension of federal funding to the program. CHIP provides insurance coverage for children whose parents earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford other health insurance coverage. While the short-term spending bill signed into law on December 8 allows for … Continue reading