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

  • Regulatory Developments. CMS has announced the first temporary moratoria on provider enrollment in high fraud risk areas under its Affordable Care Act (ACA) authority. CMS has issued proposed rules to update Medicare payment and other policies under the physician fee schedule, hospital outpatient prospective payment system, the ambulatory surgical center prospective payment system (PPS), the end-stage renal disease PPS, and the home health PPS. CMS also has proposed updates to durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies payment policies. CMS has issued final ACA regulations regarding Affordable Insurance Exchange “Navigators” and Medicaid enrollment and eligibility rules.  The Obama Administration also has announced a delay in employer ACA “shared responsibility” payments and reporting requirements, and it has issued ACA contraceptive coverage requirement rules. HHS also has released its spring 2013 semiannual regulatory agenda, and HRSA has finalized policies on exclusion of orphan drugs under the 340B program.
  • Other HHS Developments. CMS has delayed enforcement of its DME face-to-face requirement and has released information on the Physician Payment Sunshine Act. The OIG has announced an online submission process for the Self-Disclosure Protocol.
  • Legislative Developments. The House has approved legislation to amend the ACA to delay insurance mandates, Congressional panels have approved bipartisan physician fee schedule reform legislation and the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act, Congressional leaders are seeking feedback on Medicare cost sharing proposals, and Congressional hearings have addressed a number of health policy issues.
  • Health Industry Events. Upcoming events include meetings/calls on Medicare hospital outpatient payments, ICD-10 basics, PQRS reporting, and the Value-based Payment Modifier.