The Reed Smith Health Industry Washington Watch blog has been updated to report on recent health policy developments, including the following:

  • Regulatory Developments. The Obama Administration has issued several rules to implement Affordable Care Act insurance provisions, including the essential health benefits framework and insurance market reforms. CMS also is requesting comments on forms to disclose DMEPOS competitive bidding contract supplier ownership changes, and has announced hospital payment adjustments. HHS is inviting comments on advancing interoperability and health information exchange.
  • Other HHS Developments. CMS has released its first guidance on the impact of sequestration on Medicare. CMS has extended the 2013 Medicare participation enrollment period for DMEPOS suppliers, and has updated Medicare drug files and offered tips on ICD-10 implementation. HHS has suspended enrollment in the ACA Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, and FDA has issued new guidance documents.
  • Legislative Developments. Congress has cleared the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act, and Congressional panels have held hearings on various health policy issues.
  • GAO & OIG Developments. Recent OIG reports address DME infusion drugs, long-term care hospital reporting of co-location status, conflict-of-interest oversight for Medicare Part D pharmacy and therapeutics committees, Part B drug pricing, and skilled nursing facility care planning/discharge planning. GAO reports have focused on pharmacy services administrative organizations, risk adjustment for Medicare Advantage plans, and the Medicare low-volume payment adjustment for dialysis facilities.
  • Health Industry Events. Upcoming events include meetings/calls on the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program, Medicare hospital outpatient payment policy, HCPCS code applications, medical device labeling, hospital value-based purchasing, and implementation of Medicare ordering/referring provider edits.