Federal payments for care of uninsured COVID-19 patients to go out in mid-May
Hospitals that have tested or treated uninsured patients for COVID-19 can start receiving federal payments as soon as mid-May.
HHS identifies limits on clawbacks of CARES Act overpayments
HHS will limit reclamation of COVID-19 assistance to amounts higher than related expenses and lost revenues.
Hospitals shed 135,000 jobs in April while losing an estimated $51 billion
Hospitals shed 3% of their workforce in April as the coronavirus and related government policies led to an estimated $51 billion revenue loss.
HHS offers providers some clarification on CARES Act funding
Some details of CARES Act funding were clarified by an HHS spokesperson this week, but other important details remained unclear.
Moody’s projects cash will be stable for rated hospitals through the summer
Federal assistance programs should stabilize hospital cash through the summer, when Medicare repayments will create major financial pressure.
The increased uninsured population and changes in coverage for others requires healthcare finance departments to revise their practices
As a result of unemployment, insurance coverage has changed for millions of Americans, making it more important than ever for healthcare providers to offer financial counseling, community outreach and patient education.
CMS seeks healthcare provider comments on possible new methodology to calculate MS-DRG weights
HFMA's Chad Mulvany reviews possible technical and legal challenges CMS may face as it proposes to collect provider pricing data.
New hospital price transparency requirements included in IPPS proposed rule
CMS wants hospitals to start reporting median health plan payment rates and may use the information to help determine Medicare rate changes.
Key considerations for revenue cycle teams to optimize coding and maximize revenue during COVID-19
Providers should make sure they fully understand various COVID-19 codes that can enhance payment from CMS and serve as important claims data.
Rural hospitals get financial assistance as COVID-19 exacerbates their struggles
The federal government has begun to release financial assistance targeted to rural hospitals as they struggle with cash shortfalls amid the shutdown of elective procedures.