Archive for January 2017
New Exclusion Rules to Take Effect Next Month
Earlier this month, the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) finalized its long-awaited rules on civil monetary penalties that could make it easier for providers to be excluded from participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The final rule, which was published in the Federal Register on January 12, was first…
Read MoreCMS Issues Sweeping New Rules For HHA Participation in Medicare/Medicaid
Home health agencies have six months to comply with sweeping new changes that will impact their ability to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Earlier this month, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, released its final rules relating to the conditions of participation (CoPs) that home health agencies must meet to participate in the…
Read MoreWhy Labs Have a Lot to Lose Under CMS’ Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule
Big changes are coming that will impact how Medicare will pay for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests (CDLTs). The changes, according to some in the industry, could result in a significant financial hit for labs across the country because they will result in substantial fee cuts. The changes, which take effect Jan. 1, 2018, were mandated…
Read MoreNew Year: New Prescribing Laws Take Effect
Two new prescribing laws took effect this month that physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners should be familiar with. Effective Jan. 1, advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) and physician assistants (PAs) are allowed to prescribe, order, and administer controlled substances, subject to certain protocols. This came with the passage of HB 423, which was signed…
Read MoreDEA Reverses Stand on Renewal Notices
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently announced important changes to its registration renewal process. Effective Jan. 1, the DEA will send a single renewal notice to registrants notifying them that their registration is set to expire. The notice will be sent 65 days in advance of the expiration date. However, no additional reminders will be…
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