K&L Gates Triage: An Insider’s Perspective on the Health Care Debate in Washington, DC
On January 31, 2020, pursuant to Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) determined that a public health emergency (PHE) exists due to the soaring...more
Congress was in session, and it was a busy healthcare week at the committee level, with six hearings focused specifically on health issues. On the House floor, Republicans passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act—a bill that raises...more
The White House recently announced that the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) declarations will end on May 11, 2023. These declarations have been in place since the beginning of the COVID-19...more
On Aug. 4, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its proposed rule, Nondiscrimination in Health Care and Activities (Proposed Rule), to revise its regulations pertaining to Section 1557 of the...more
[co-authors: Mara McDermott and Katie Waldo, McDermott+Consultants] This report from McDermott Will & Emery and McDermott+Consulting provides a detailed analysis of the latest Provider Relief Fund (PRF) distributions,...more
The Big Picture - Over the past few weeks, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued press releases and accompanying guidance announcing that providers—including Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health...more
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently issued new guidance regarding reporting and auditing requirements that may impact providers and suppliers who retain payments received from the Public Health and...more
On June 9, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it will distribute $25 billion from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (Provider Relief Fund) to healthcare providers...more
On March 30, 2020, CMS issued additional Section 1135 blanket waivers to provide the American healthcare system with additional flexibility to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. CMS is authorized under Section 1135 of the...more
In times of emergency, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the "Secretary") has authority to issue temporary waivers or modifications of certain Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and HIPAA requirements. The Centers for...more
Responding to the Coronavirus public health emergency, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) has waived certain requirements of the Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), including...more
On March 13, 2020, the President declared the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the U.S. a national emergency. The President’s declaration, coupled with Section 1135 (of the Social Security Act) waivers issued by the...more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published its highly anticipated final rule aimed at enhancing interoperability and increasing patient access to health information. CMS’s final rule will require hospitals...more
As the coronavirus strain (COVID-19) continues to spread, the government, insurance companies and medical providers are rushing to find paths to more efficiently and effectively provide care for those in need. The Centers for...more
On March 4, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published a wide-ranging proposed rule (“Proposed Rule”) with the intent to “move the health care ecosystem in the direction of interoperability” in...more
The OIG added six new items to its Work Plan in the July 2018 update. Areas addressed include HHS cybersecurity vulnerabilities, increased payments for transfer claims with outliers, oversight of funds for Access Increases in...more
The Trump Administration on Feb. 12 released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 budget request, titled "An American Budget." Unlike last year's budget, which was released in late May, the release of this budget conforms to the typical...more
Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill this week ahead of more self-imposed deadlines to resolve a series of thorny healthcare policies, including funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the rest of the...more
House Passes Bill on Disaster Funding: House Republicans easily passed a supplemental spending bill that included $36.5 billion of disaster aid with a vote of 353-69 after some initial worries on Thursday afternoon that it...more
Hospitals operating in regions affected by the recent hurricanes and other natural disasters may be able to obtain temporary regulatory relief. During times of disasters and emergencies, CMS can provide some flexibility...more
Vermont moves closer to launching the country’s first all-payer ACO; CMS approves Arizona’s 1115 waiver extension but rejects the State’s proposed work requirement and premiums for those earning below the FPL; and CMS issues...more
Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), both federal and state policies have promoted the adoption of alternative payment models (APMs), providing financial incentives for groups of providers to improve care...more
The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services recently posted an Advisory Opinion describing a proposed arrangement by an academic medical center that offers free transportation and lodging to...more
Arizona seeks Medicaid Waiver to implement new coverage restrictions for Medicaid expansion enrollees and delivery system reform; Tennessee’s uninsured rate continues to drop; and Louisiana gubernatorial candidates line up...more
This Week: CMS Releases Guidance on Fast Track Process for 1115 Waivers for Medicaid and CHIP... Healthcare.gov CEO Sends Letter to State Insurance Commissioners Concerning 2016 Premium Decisions... Medicare Board of Trustees...more