News Briefs
PHE End Brings Challenges for Nursing Home Operators
As the public health emergency (PHE) came to an end on May 11, industry leaders point out that nursing home operators are still in pandemic recovery mode and that adjusting to the old way of doing business will not be easy. The PHE was declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and accompanied a wide array of policy changes, waivers, and funding supports since its inception in March 2020.
(Source: Skilled Nursing News, 2023-05-10)
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Telemedicine Prescription Waivers Get Six-Month Extension
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration have issued a temporary rule that extends COVID-era waivers for the remote prescribing of controlled substances via telehealth through November 2023. The rule, "Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications," went into effect on May 11 when the federal public health emergency ended.
(Source: mHealthIntelligence, 2023-05-09)
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State Department Visa Freeze Impacting Nursing Workforce
Thousands of international nurses are stuck in limbo after the State Department stopped processing some visa applications this month, leaving nursing homes and assisted living facilities in a tight spot without a workforce they've already hired. The situation shows how immigration policies are intertwined with healthcare workforce issues amid a pandemic-driven nursing shortage.
(Source: Axios, 2023-05-12)
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30 States Considering Legislation to Address Prior Authorization
Prior authorization has been a point of emphasis in legislation across the country this year, with nearly 90 reform bills being introduced in 30 states, according to the American Medical Association. The medical group highlighted the momentum to solve prior authorization issues that can often lead to delay or denial of necessary care and stated that many of the bills draw on the AMA's model legislation.
(Source: HealthLeaders Media, 2023-05-12)
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State Lawmakers Creating Hospital Police Forces Amid Violence
Nearly 40 states have laws that establish or increase penalties for assaults on healthcare workers, according to the American Nurses Association. And lawmakers in 29 states have approved or are working on either similar laws, or ones that allow for the creation of hospital police forces.
(Source: NPR, 2023-05-15)
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Senate Bill to Reform PBMs Includes Ban on Spread Pricing
A key Senate panel advanced a package of bipartisan bills aimed at improving generic drug competition and reforming the business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bill would prohibit a PBM practice known as "spread pricing," or charging health plans more for a drug than the PBM reimburses to the pharmacy, a tactic that's drawn harsh criticism from lawmakers.
(Source: The Hill, 2023-05-11)
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Health Systems Sign Impact Workforce Commitment Pact
Seventeen health systems, including Cleveland Clinic and Advocate Health, have pledged a commitment to make 10 percent of all new hires "impact hires" -- meaning employees hired from economically disadvantaged areas. The "Impact Workforce Commitment," designed in partnership with a leadership group of Healthcare Anchor Network member health systems and the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, is meant to provide opportunities for prospective hires who, for one reason or another, have faced barriers to employment.
(Source: Healthcare Finance News, 2023-05-11)
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Government Taking Bigger Steps to Thwart Hospital Cyberattacks
The federal government is placing greater focus on cybersecurity in healthcare, industry analysts say. Healthcare cybersecurity experts say the government recognizes that hospitals, healthcare, and other critical infrastructure need greater support in defending against attacks. They also note federal authorities are launching more effective attacks against cybercriminals, including the successful effort earlier this year to disrupt a ransomware group that targeted hospitals.
(Source: Chief Healthcare Executive, 2023-05-12)
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Third-Party Tracking of Patient Information Not Always Secure
It's nice to know patient information is secure when patients visit websites of physicians and other healthcare providers. But that's not always happening when third-party software providers track health information and personal data about the people using websites and apps of doctors, hospitals, and health systems.
(Source: Medical Economics, 2023-05-12)
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Experts Say Drug, Medical-Device Shortages Could Worsen
COVID-19 snarled the U.S. healthcare supply chain, but it was in trouble long before, experts say. What's more, drug and medical-device shortages could get worse, Tammy Beckham, DVM, PhD, associate director of the U.S. Food and Drug Association's Resilient Supply Chain Program at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, told attendees at this month's MedCon 2023.
(Source: CIDRAP, 2023-05-11)
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Number of IDR Disputes 14 Times More than Expected
Nearly a year after the federal government launched the independent dispute resolution (IDR) process under the No Surprises Act, over 330,000 balance billing disputes have been filed, nearly 14 times more than the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury expected. From when the IDR portal opened on April 15, 2022, through March 31, 2023, certified IDR entities rendered payment determinations in 42,158 disputes.
(Source: RevCycle Intelligence, 2023-05-15)
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