340B Ruling: Good News for Some, Maybe
340B-eligible facilities are unsure of the fate of the 340B discount drug program as they await a U.S. District Court ruling on remedies that could further alter payments.
OIG’s Video Highlights a Busy Year
A recent OIG video highlighting various reports offers helpful reminders for finance personnel, compliance officers, legal counsel, and others who assist in ensuring that their healthcare organizations abide by all legal requirements.
Hospital Policies on Medical Marijuana
Legalization of medical marijuana in 46 states raises concerns for hospitals and health systems in terms of administering the drug, patient safety, and staff impact. But sample policies and assistance exist such as three options from the Minnesota Hospital Association.
Reminder: Price Posting Requirement Began Jan. 1
CMS reminds healthcare providers that the format for posting is the hospital’s choice, but the information must be “consumer-friendly” and must enable patients to understand their financial liabilities and compare charges for similar services across other hospitals.
HIPAA Breaches Make News, Cost Money
Three Boston hospitals that were recently slapped with HIPAA violations for allowing television crews into their facilities are reminders of the intricacies of patient privacy laws.
Shared Birthdays Cause Patient Matching Errors
Patients who share similarly spelled names and the same birth dates are particularly susceptible to patient record mismatches.
Patient Matching in the Era of EHRs
It is not uncommon for clinicians to have incomplete or inaccurate pictures of patients’ medical histories and conditions because the record and the patient do not match. This exposes healthcare organizations to medical errors, increased costs, and negative patient experiences.
CMS and OIG Seek Input on Fraud Laws
Recognizing the transition to value-based payment and care coordination, HHS is asking interested parties to identify regulatory obstacles to achievement of that goal.
The Internet of Things Presents Security Concerns
The sheer number of networked healthcare devices means larger cybersecurity attacks are easier to execute. For healthcare providers, these breaches are not only disruptive, embarrassing, and expensive, but they can lead to serious medical complications for patients.
Human Trafficking: Hidden Problem, Hidden Costs
New ICD-10 codes allow for clinicians to document treatment of human trafficking victims, but legal considerations should be taken before doing so.