Archive for September 2014
FDA cracks down on hydrocodone combination drugs
Effective Oct. 6, 2014, hydrocodone combination products will be moved from a Schedule III to a more strict Schedule II drug. That means hydrocodone combination products in such common pain medications such as Vicodin hydrocodone-acetaminophen now join other drugs such as methamphetamine, codeine, morphine and Adderall. The scheduling action by the U.S. Food and Drug…
Read MoreCMS reverses decision on error data reporting
In August, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) stopped making public reports of eight different hospital-acquired conditions (HACs). However, a month later, CMS reversed its decision and now will resume public reporting of data on HACs on its Hospital Compare Data site. Data removed included information on foreign objects left in patients, air…
Read MoreNew CMS rule allows flexibility in certified EHR technology for 2014
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a final rule on Aug. 29 that allows healthcare providers more flexibility in how they use certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) to meet meaningful use for an EHR Incentive Program reporting period for 2014. “By providing this flexibility, more providers will be able to participate…
Read MoreSome suing HHS over RAC appeals backlogs
The American Hospital Association (AHA) and 11 hospitals are suing HHS for the backlog of appeals on Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) claims, saying the government’s process is so ineffective that it is costing healthcare providers millions of dollars. Click here to read the full article
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