For the first time, Medicare is covering some cannabis products under a pilot program that opens up more of the nearly $30 billion hemp industry to seniors. In certain payment arrangements, Medicare providers can get reimbursed as much as $500 per patient each year to discuss and provide certain CBD products. The effort is part […]
Medicare Dips a Toe into Hemp for Seniors Read More »
The Federal Trade Commission is opposing a motion for summary judgment by U.S. Anesthesia Partners to avoid facing trial on claims it monopolized anesthesia services in Texas through a private-equity backed “roll-up” strategy. According to court documents filed March 30, the FTC says the record evidence was too compelling to be thrown out on summary
FTC: Evidence Too Strong to Toss USAP Antitrust Case Read More »
A bipartisan House bill introduced March 25 would permanently extend a more favorable Medicare inflation update for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). It would also block another type of payment adjustment that the industry argues could hold ASC reimbursement down. The legislation – the Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026 – was introduced by Reps. Beth
ASC Payment Fight Returns as Lawmakers Move to Preserve Hospital Market Basket Update Read More »
Two of the nation’s three largest hospice trade organizations decried a proposed 2.4% hospice base rate increase as inadequate in today’s financial climate, with one saying it could provide “modest stability.” The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Thursday issued its proposed payment rule for hospices in 2027 containing a 2.4% payment
Hospice Groups: 2.4% Proposed Pay Raise Threatens Care Delivery Read More »
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Thursday issued its proposed payment rule for hospices in 2027 containing a 2.4% payment increase. If finalized, this would result in a $785 million payment boost from Fiscal Year 2026. The proposed pay raise results from a 3.2% inpatient hospital market basket increase, which is
CMS Proposes 2.4% Hospice Rate Increase for 2027 Read More »
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) proposed rule, increasing Medicare rates by 2.4%. The 2.4% increase is based on the proposed SNF market basket of 3.2% and a negative 0.8% productivity adjustment, the agency said. SNF value-based purchasing reductions weren’t incorporated in estimates,
CMS Proposes 2.4% Medicare Increase for Skilled Nursing Facilities in 2027 Read More »
CMS published its final 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D rule on April 2, enacting changes to star ratings, supplemental benefits administration, Part D coverage, and a series of deregulatory provisions. The rule is effective June 1 and applies to coverage beginning in 2027. Here are 10 notes on the rule. Read the full article:
CMS Finalizes 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rule Read More »
The Trump administration announced plans to issue a proposed rule under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) that will include significant revisions to Biden-era provisions. The future of mental health parity has been hazy for providers. In September of 2024, the Biden administration released its final rule updating mental health parity compliance
Trump Administration to Propose New Parity Rule Read More »
A bipartisan group of senators is urging the CMS to work with Congress to crack down on overpayments in Medicare Advantage. In a letter sent to the agency Monday, the lawmakers praised the CMS’ proposal to exclude diagnoses submitted through chart reviews that aren’t linked to actual medical care from risk adjustment — potentially curbing
Bipartisan Lawmakers Urge CMS to Crack Down on Medicare Advantage Overpayments Read More »
As predicted in Holland & Knight’s year-end 2025 report, the first quarter of 2026 has seen a wave of newly proposed legislation by states that seek to broaden their review of healthcare consolidation. The focus has shifted from private equity to all stakeholders, including real estate investment trusts (REITs), management services organizations (MSOs) and health
Q1 Recap on Proposed Legislation Affecting Healthcare Consolidation Read More »
