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NABH Analysis: CMS Proposes Expanding Medicare Telehealth Benefits and Scope of Practice Changes Beyond Pandemic
CMS Proposes Expanding Medicare Telehealth Benefits and Scope of Practice Changes Beyond Pandemic The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to maintain—either permanently or temporarily— many of the Medicare telehealth benefits and workforce flexibilities authorized during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the fiscal year 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule proposed rule the agency released Monday. In issuing these proposed changes, CMS referred to President Trump’s Aug. 3 Executive Order on “Improving Rural Health and Telehealth Access” that directs the Health and Human Services secretary to propose regulations…
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HHS Extends Deadline for Provider Relief Funding Until Aug. 28
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended the deadline to Friday, Aug. 28 from Monday, Aug. 3 for healthcare providers who participate in Medicaid and CHIP to apply to the Provider Relief Fund established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. HHS had previously extended this deadline to Aug. 3 from July 20. HHS said that it plans to issue a simplified application form soon. In addition, HHS is re-opening the portal for Medicare-participating providers to apply for funding set aside from the Provider Relief…
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Wit v. UnitedHealthcare Hearing Delayed to Wednesday, Sept. 2
The remedies hearing in the Wit v. UnitedHealthcare case scheduled for this week has been delayed to Wednesday, Sept. 2. NABH has learned that U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero has re-scheduled the hearing due to meetings related to Covid-19. Members of the public and press are welcome to join the webinar, and NABH will send an updated Zoom link when it becomes available.
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CMS Announces 2.2% Payment Update and Scope-in-Practice Changes for 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will update the Medicare payment rate for the Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System (IPF PPS) by 2.2% in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, the agency announced in a final rule late Friday. In its April proposed rule, CMS had estimated a 2.4% payment rate update for IPFs next year. The agency included its updated estimates and calculations in a fact sheet accompanying Friday’s final rule. According to the rule, CMS will allow advanced practice providers, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, psychologists, and…
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Help Maintain Coverage of Telehealth Expanded During Covid-19
NABH is requesting information from our members to show how expanded coverage of telehealth during the Covid-19 pandemic has helped maintain and even improve access to behavioral healthcare. This information will help us advocate for continuation of this expanded coverage of telehealth after the public health emergency ends. Here is a quick survey to share the requested data on the impact of the telehealth expansion. Please submit the survey and any additional information as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, July 31. Please email Kirsten Beronio, Director of Policy…
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Deadline to Apply for Medicaid / CHIP Provider Relief Extended to Aug. 3
Friday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced that it is extending the application deadline for Medicaid and CHIP Provider Relief Fund distribution from today July 20, 2020 to August 3, 2020. In June, HHS announced plans to distribute approximately $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs who had not yet received a payment from earlier distributions from the Provider Relief Fund. This HHS fact sheet explains the application process. In addition, HHS is holding focus groups tomorrow and Wednesday to identify opportunities to…