CMS Releases Proposed Rule on Prior Authorizations for DMEPOS Items – On May 22, 2014, CMS released a Proposed Rule setting out a prior authorization process for certain types durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies, or “DMEPOS” items, which CMS says are “frequently subject to unnecessary utilization.”  According to CMS’s website, the Proposed Rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on May 28, 2014, with comments due by July 28, 2014.  

HHS Provides Update on Next Round of Health Care Innovation Awards – HHS on May 22, 2014 announced its list of prospective recipients of the Health Care Innovations Awards “Round Two.”  The Health Care Innovation Awards program provides for grants that will be used to test new care delivery models.  The awards are expected to range between $2 million and $18 million per recipient over a three-year period.

CMS Issues Final Insurance Exchange Rule Under Affordable Care Act – CMS recently issued a Final Rule titled “Exchange and Insurance Market Standards for 2015 and Beyond,” which addresses the requirements for issuers of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.  You can read CMS’s summary of the Final Rule here.