Health Industry Washington Watch : Washington DC Healthcare Industry Law Firm : Reed Smith : Health Industry Washington Watch : Regulations, Medicare/Medicaid, Governmental Organizations

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The Reed Smith Health Industry Washington Watch blog has been updated to discuss a variety of health policy developments, including the following:

• Regulatory Developments. CMS has published two regulations impacting Medicare payments under the long-term care hospital prospective payment system. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has published a notice regarding regional extension centers to assist providers seeking to adopt and become meaningful users of health information technology.
• Other HHS Developments. CMS has announced additional details on its timeline for implementing the Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding program, including a January 2011 implementation date. CMS also has released a white paper on "Potential Conflict of Interest in the Production of Drug Compendia." The FDA has formed a transparency task force, and it has released several draft and final guidance documents for industry.
• OIG & GAO Developments. The HHS OIG has audited HHS calculations of Federal Medical Assistance Percentages under the Recovery Act. The OIG also has released its annual compendium of unimplemented OIG recommendations, and has issued reports on Medicare Part D payments for SNF beneficiaries and state Medicaid nonemergency medical transportation services. The GAO has issued reports on privacy and security issues under the FDA Sentinel system and emergency department crowding.
• Legislative Developments. Congressional panels are considering legislation to promote consumer access to generic drugs. A number of Congressional panels have held hearings recently on health policy issues, including health reform and long-term care insurance. Additional hearings are scheduled this month on health reform, follow-on biogicals, whistleblower protections, and medical device regulation.
• Health Industry Events. Upcoming events will focus on HIPAA version 5010, comparative effectiveness, HCPCS codes, health information technology, FDA transparency, healthcare-associated infections, clinical laboratory payments, and Medicare coverage evidence.