Lack of transportation can be a significant barrier to accessing healthcare services. According to a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report, one in five patients report forgoing needed healthcare services due to lack of...more
In 2020, Congress passed the No Surprises Act (NSA) in an attempt to protect patients from surprise billing. Some sections of the NSA became effective January 1, 2022, while other sections are on hold until regulations are...more
As part of the COVID-19 relief legislation passed at the end of 2020, Congress adopted the “No Surprises Act” which prohibits out-of-network providers from balance billing patients for charges above the rates paid by their...more
With the growth in telemedicine, Critical Access Hospitals have a renewed interest in exploring delegated credentialing. Several years ago, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) modified the conditions of...more
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES Act) contains numerous regulatory and payment reforms aimed at bolstering the health care industry and its COVID-19 response efforts. Although far from complete, the...more
Although we remain hopeful that Iowa will be spared the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and health care resources will be sufficient to care for all patients in need, we encourage hospitals and hospital-based physicians to...more
On Friday, March 13, CMS issued new guidance for nursing homes in light of the spread of COVID-19. Nursing homes in all states are to restrict all visitors and non-essential health care personnel except for compassionate care...more
Q: Should we postpone elective surgeries?
A: Yes. On March 18, 2020, CMS released recommendations urging hospitals and physicians to postpone elective surgeries and services....more
Know when and how to contact your Public Health Department -
In this week’s webinars, the Iowa Department of Public Health detailed when providers should contact them. For example, the IDPH asked to be alerted when two or...more
As of this morning, Wednesday, February 26, we are fielding a number of questions from health care provider clients looking for COVID-19 specific resources for use in their emergency response preparedness.
Centers for...more
2/28/2020
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Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
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Infectious Diseases ,
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World Health Organization
Last month, former Governor Branstad signed House File 517 which significantly expands the rights of gun owners in Iowa. The legislation also allows Iowans to sue cities or counties that enact “gun-free zones.” ...more
In light of last week’s ransomware attacks overseas targeting hospitals and other providers, HHS is notifying providers in the United States of a warning issued by the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT)...more
The Office of Civil Rights for Health and Human Services is launching a nationwide review of the language access policies of critical access hospitals following a 10 state review in 2012. These reviews will include an...more