The Reed Smith Health Industry Washington Watch blog has been updated to report on recent health policy developments, including the following:
- HHS Developments. CMS has released highly-anticipated Medicare payment data for individual Medicare physicians and certain other Part B suppliers. In addition, CMS has announced final 2015 Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plan rates and policies, published a notice announcing a new system to collect hospice care data, and extended deadlines for certain individuals to enroll for health coverage through Affordable Insurance Exchanges. CMS also is seeking comments on supervision levels for select hospital outpatient services. HHS has developed a HIPAA Security Risk Assessment tool.
- Fraud & Abuse Developments. The OIG and GAO have issued separate reports examining the Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding program. The OIG has identified its top 25 priorities to protect the integrity of HHS programs, and it has issued reports on Medicare billing for electrodiagnostic tests, Medicare payments for hospital clinic visits, and Medicare ESRD drug payment policies. According to new CMS data, RACs corrected $2.4 billion in Medicare claims in FY 2012.
- Legislative Developments. President Obama has signed into law a Medicare physician fee schedule fix bill with numerous health policy provisions, along with a bill that provides funding for pediatric medical residency programs. Congressional hearings have examined health policy issues.
- Health Industry Events. Upcoming CMS events will focus on HCPCS coding applications and clinical laboratory payments.