Legal and Regulatory Compliance

CMS finalizes enhanced hospital price transparency requirements for 2024

Hospital price transparency mandates are set to become more stringent in the coming year as CMS seeks to strengthen regulations that have been on the books since 2021. Medicare’s 2024 final rule for hospital outpatient payments includes updates to the price transparency rules. Hospitals will need to post charge information using a more precise template,…

Nick Hut November 9, 2023

November policy roundup with Nick Hut and Shawn Stack

Senior Editor Nick Hut and HFMA Policy Director Shawn Stack discuss the latest in healthcare finance news.

Erika Grotto November 6, 2023

With No Surprises Act independent dispute resolution changes pending, provider reps voice systemic concerns

The No Surprises Act’s arbitration process continues to be hampered by parties that don’t always follow the regulations, stakeholders expressed to CMS on Thursday. The agency hosted a forum to describe changes being made to the arbitration process, also known as independent dispute resolution (IDR). A proposed rule issued Oct. 27 introduces various technical changes…

Nick Hut November 2, 2023

HRSA curtails pandemic-era 340B flexibilities for hospitals’ off-campus outpatient facilities

In an expected move that stands to affect the savings reaped by health systems from the 340B Drug Pricing Program, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is tightening participation requirements for off-campus outpatient facilities. In a published alert, HRSA announced plans to end pandemic-related flexibilities that have made it easier for off-campus outpatient facilities…

Nick Hut October 31, 2023

The No Surprises Act: How healthcare organizations can create a winning strategy

Find a breakdown of the No Surprises Act in this business profile with an update on four main administrative requirements of the bill and insight to improve hospitals and healthcare systems using technology for future regulatory changes.

HFMA October 30, 2023

Hospital, physician advocates disagree over the role of physician-owned hospitals as policymakers ramp up focus

Hospital advocacy groups hope to stanch momentum that’s building in policy circles to increase the number of physician-owned hospitals. The American Hospital Association (AHA) and Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) issued a joint statement Oct. 18, saying permitting greater numbers of physician-owned hospitals (POHs) would have adverse effects on healthcare costs, access and quality. The…

Nick Hut October 24, 2023

Hospitals push back on Senate report that calls out lack of spending on charity care

Not-for-profit (NFP) hospitals continue to be the subject of congressional scrutiny, with the chair of a key Senate committee issuing a report that questions whether they provide levels of charity care that are commensurate with their tax exemption. The report was released Oct. 10 by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chair of the Senate Health, Education,…

Nick Hut October 12, 2023

HHS: Insurers won’t be penalized if they don’t update their No Surprises Act qualifying payment amounts as required

Providers may not immediately benefit from a favorable court ruling that affects the methodology for determining the qualifying payment amount (QPA) under the No Surprises Act. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance Oct. 6 that says the Biden administration will not enforce the court decision until at least May 1.…

Nick Hut October 9, 2023

PFC USA’s partnership approach ensures healthcare clients tackle regulatory and patient satisfaction issues

Review some tips from a company with 6.5 years of hands-on experience in helping its healthcare clients handle concerns in healthcare such as workforce shortages and a volatile regulatory environment.

HFMA September 29, 2023

Money received through the Provider Relief Fund could be at risk as audits ramp up

Recipients of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) distributions and COVID-19 Uninsured Program payments should be girding themselves for audits, legal experts say. The programs represent “a two-front audit fight that providers are facing and will face in the coming years,” Brian Lee, partner with Alston & Bird, said during an Aug. 24 webinar hosted by the…

Nick Hut September 1, 2023
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