Hall Render - Health Care Reform

Significant Changes to DSH Under Proposed 2014 IPPS Rules

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:01 -0400

May 17, 2013 Significant Changes to DSH Under Proposed 2014 IPPS Rules Executive Summary On April 26, 2013 CMS released proposed rules for implementing Section 3133 of the Affordable Care Act ("ACA"). Starting in 2014, these proposed rules will begin a series of substantial reductions in Disproportionate Share Hospital ("DSH") payments to

States Continue Consideration of Medicaid Expansion and Insurance Exchanges

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:02 -0500

This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization.

On February 26, 2013, Chris Christie, the Governor of New

Employers Benefit from Delayed Effective Date of March 1, 2013 Required Notice under the Affordable Care Act

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:03 -0500

The U.S. Department of Labor ("DOL"), along with the U.S.

CMS Releases Updated Medicare Shared Savings Program FAQs

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:00:04 -0400

August 14, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. CMS Releases Updated Medicare Shared Savings Program FAQs The Centers for Medicare

This Week in Washington 06/29/12 - Featuring Supreme Court Ruling Analysis

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:05 -0400

June 29, 2012 Future of the Affordable Care Act: The Debate Rages On... Yesterday, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act's ("ACA") individual mandate by a 5-4 majority (click here to view Hall Render's Broadcast sent 06/28/12). Yet the fate of the landmark legislation

The Supreme Court Rules that the Affordable Care Act Is Constitutional; the Individual Mandate Survives

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:06 -0400

June 28, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. The Supreme Court Rules that the Affordable Care Act Is Constitutional; the

Primary Care Physician Medicaid Payment Bump - Proposed Rule

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:07 -0400

June 14, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. Primary Care Physician Medicaid Payment Bump - Proposed Rule On May 11, 2012,

IRS Issues Guidance on $2,500 Limit for Health Flexible Spending Accounts

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:00:08 -0400

IRS Issues Guidance on $2,500 Limit for Health Flexible Spending Accounts The IRS recently issued Notice 2012-40 providing guidance on the $2,500 maximum annual limit on employee contributions to health flexible spending accounts ("FSAs") as set forth in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the "Act"). The

501(c)(3) Hospitals: Financial Assistance and Collections Policies

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:09 -0400

May 22, 2012 501(c)(3) Hospitals: Financial Assistance and Collections Policies This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. Under the Patient Protection and

CMS Implements "Community First Choice" Medicaid State Plan Option

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:10 -0400

This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. CMS Implements "Community First Choice" Medicaid State Plan Option On May 7, 2012, the

What's Going on with the CMS Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol? - Recent Developments

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:11 -0400

April 6, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. What's Going on with the CMS Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol? -

Indiana Inheritance Tax Changes Passed by Indiana House and Senate

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:12 -0400

Indiana Inheritance Tax Changes Passed by Indiana House and Senate The Indiana House and Senate passed Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 293 (the "Act") and sent it on to Governor Daniels for his signature. The Act makes two significant changes to Indiana's Inheritance Tax: (1) increases the exemption amounts and (2)

Additional Guidance Issued on Essential Health Benefits

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:13 -0500

March 9, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. Additional Guidance Issued on Essential Health Benefits The U.S.

UPDATE: Additional Amicus Curiae Briefs Received in Support of the Validity of the Medicaid Expansion Provision; Increase of Oral Argument Time Granted

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:14 -0500

February 27, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. UPDATE: Additional Amicus Curiae Briefs Received in Support of the

Federal Mandate for No-Cost Women's Contraceptive Services Continues to Receive Scrutiny

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:15 -0500

February 24, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. Federal Mandate for No-Cost Women's Contraceptive Services Continues to Receive Scrutiny On

CMS Issues Proposed Rule to Implement Statutory Obligation to Report and Return Overpayments

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:17 -0500

February 17, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. CMS Issues Proposed Rule to Implement Statutory Obligation to Report and

Today Is the Day: Medicare Shared Savings Program Update

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:16 -0500

February 17, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. Today Is the Day: Medicare Shared Savings Program Update Deadlines! Deadlines!

If the Minimum Necessary Provisions of the Affordable Care Act Are Found Unconstitutional, Will the Entire Act Fall?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:18 -0500

February 10, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. If the Minimum Necessary Provisions of the Affordable

Congressional Budget Office Estimates Federal Health Care Program Spending to Double over Next 10 Years

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:19 -0500

February 3, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. Congressional Budget Office Estimates Federal Health Care Program Spending

Antitrust Implications for ACOs: FTC/DOJ Determine ACOs are Consistent with Indicia of Clinical Integration - Is This a Fundamental Shift in Antitrust Policy?

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:20 -0500

January 31, 2012 Antitrust Implications for ACOs: FTC/DOJ Determine ACOs are Consistent with Indicia of Clinical Integration - Is This a Fundamental Shift in Antitrust Policy? With the advent of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("ACA"), we are entering a new era of clinical integration and coordinated care.

Amicus Curiae Briefs Pour In to the Supreme Court; Oral Argument Dates Set for Late March 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:21 -0500

January 27, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. Amicus Curiae Briefs Pour In to the Supreme Court;

CMS Rolls Out Independence at Home Demonstration Program: Everything Old Is New Again

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:22 -0500

January 5, 2012 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. CMS Rolls Out Independence at Home Demonstration Program: Everything

CMS Releases Application Instructions for the Shared Savings Program

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:23 -0500

November 9, 2011 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. CMS Releases Application Instructions for the Shared Savings Program CMS

Breaking News: CMS Issues Its Final Rule for Accountable Care Organizations

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:24 -0400

October 21, 2011 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. Breaking News: CMS Issues its final Rule for Accountable Care

ACO Final Regulations Are Here!

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:25 -0400

October 20, 2011 This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. ACO Final Regulations Are Here! The very much anticipated final regulations for

CMS' Bundled Payment Initiative

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:26 -0400

September 14, 2011 CMS' Bundled Payment Initiative On August 23, 2011, CMS invited health care providers to apply to help test and develop four different models of bundled payments. This Initiative is part of CMS' overall effort under the Affordable Care Act to better coordinate care among providers. Unlike

Department of Health and Human Services Issues Guidelines for Preventive Services for Women

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:27 -0400

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the "Act") requires non-grandfathered group health plans to cover, with no cost-sharing to the individual, comprehensive preventive care and screening for women. Under the Act, non-grandfathered group health plans already provided coverage at no cost for women's preventive health care services such

CMS Final Rule to Adjust Medicaid Payment for Provider-Preventable Conditions Including Health Care-Acquired Conditions

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:28 -0400

CMS Final Rule to Adjust Medicaid Payment for Provider-Preventable Conditions Including Health Care-Acquired Conditions Executive Summary Effective July 1, 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") will prohibit Medicaid payments for medical treatment associated with Provider-Preventable Conditions ("PPCs"). This final rule aligns Medicaid with similar Medicare

Burdensome 1099 Reporting Requirements in the Affordable Care Act Repealed

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:00:29 -0400

Burdensome 1099 Reporting Requirements in the Affordable Care Act Repealed On April 14, 2011, President Obama signed into law H.R. 4, the "Comprehensive 1099 Taxpayer Protection and Repayment of Exchange Subsidy Overpayments Act of 2011," which was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 314-112 on March 3

Breaking News: CMS Issues its Proposed Rule for Accountable Care Organizations

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:30 -0400

Background Introduction. On March 31, 2011, approximately one year from the date the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("Affordable Care Act") was enacted, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") issued its proposed rule (the "Proposed Rule") outlining the framework for implementation of Accountable Care Organizations ("ACOs").

Happy Birthday Affordable Care Act

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:31 -0400

This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. Happy Birthday! Today is the one-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Its

Federal District Court Ruling Heats Up, While President Obama Supports Legislation to Make "State Innovation Waivers" Available Three Years Earlier

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:00:32 -0500

On the judicial front, you'll recall that U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson ruled in late January that the "individual mandate" provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("Affordable Care Act") was unconstitutional, and declared the rest of the Act inseverable and void. In that ruling the Judge

Internal Revenue Service Releases Revised Schedule H to Monitor and Enforce Compliance with Code Section 501(r)

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:33 -0500

On February 24, 2011, the Internal Revenue Service released a revised Schedule H (with corresponding instructions) to the Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, which expands the reporting requirements for tax-exempt hospitals. More specifically, the new Schedule H includes questions designed to monitor and enforce compliance

IRS Extends 2010 Filing Deadline for Certain Tax-Exempt Hospitals

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:34 -0500

On February 23, 2011, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") released Announcement 2011-20 ("Announcement") indicating the IRS will grant certain tax-exempt hospitals an automatic extension to file their 2010 Form 990 and supplemental schedules, including Schedule H. More specifically, the IRS will grant an automatic three-month filing extension to

The Constitutionality of Health Care Reform?

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:35 -0500

On January 31, 2011, Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson issued his much-anticipated order in favor of the State of Florida and 25 other states that challenge the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA") as unconstitutional. The following excerpts fairly summarize Judge Vinson's 78-page order, which will undoubtedly

CMS Proposes Rule to Implement Value-Based Purchasing Program for IPPS Hospitals

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:36 -0500

Value-Based Purchasing Program - A Broad Overview On January 13, 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") issued a proposed rule to implement a Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program ("VBP Program") as required by section 3001(a) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("ACA"). Under the

ACO Bound? Consider the Financials First

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:00:37 -0500

Da vid A. Lips, for HealthLeaders Media, Decemb er 30, 2010 Section 3022 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has the innocuous name, “Medicare Shared Savings Program.” Accountable care organizations are at the heart of this program, which is intended to coordinate healthcare providers serving patient populations of at least 5,000.

DEPARTMENTS ISSUE ADDITIONAL FAQs REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:00:38 -0500

The IRS along with the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (collectively, the Departments) recently issued another set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The FAQs provide the following guidance: • Employers with more than 200 full-time employees will

IRS Postpones Effective Date of Nondiscrimination Rules for Insured Group Health Plans

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:00:39 -0500

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced in Notice 2011-1 that insured group health plans1 will not be required to comply with the Code Section 105(h) nondiscrimination provisions as provided for in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the Act). Under Code Section 105(h), if a self-insured group

Health Care Reform and "Hanging Chads" Have One Thing in Common

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:40 -0500

There are a couple of things to keep in mind about Monday's ruling by a federal judge in Virginia that the Affordable Care Act's "Minimum Essential Coverage Provision" is unconstitutional. The judge held that this provision of the law exceeds the power of Congress under the Commerce Clause

Collective Bargaining: Effectively Navigating the Uncertainty Surrounding Health Care Reform

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:41 -0500

As employers struggle to understand and eventually implement the myriad health care changes looming on the horizon as a result of Health Care Reform, those with unionized workforces face an additional challenge: Accounting for those changes during negotiations for collective bargaining agreements ("CBA") that may stretch into and beyond 2014,

Final Rule for Physician Disclosure Requirements for MRI, CT, PET

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:00:43 -0500

On November 29, 2010, CMS published the Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2011, which includes the final rule for new disclosure requirements applicable to physicians or physician practices that use the In-Office Ancillary Services exception when referring and billing for

Health Reform May Limit Expansion by Hospitals with Physician-Held Debt

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:00:42 -0500

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released final regulations implementing changes to the Stark Law "whole hospital" and "rural provider" exceptions. While the expressed intent of these changes was to limit the expansion of physician-owned specialty hospitals,

ACO UPDATE: IT'S TIME TO COMMENT

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:45 -0500

Summary On November 17, 2010, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") issued a notice requesting comments regarding certain aspects of the policies and standards that will apply to Accountable Care Organizations ("ACOs") participating in the "shared savings program" of the Affordable Care Act. These comments must be received

Proposed Rule Implementing the ACA: CMS's Steady March Toward Program Integrity Utopia

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:00:46 -0400

Overview The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") has taken a further step in its effort to combat fraud and abuse with the September 23, 2010 publication in the Federal Register of a Proposed Rule (the "Proposed Rule"). The Proposed Rule would implement select program integrity provisions (sections 6401,

Federal Fiscal Year 2012 Key Deadlines for Appealing Wage Index Issues

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:47 -0400

Executive Summary The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2012 Hospital Wage Index Development Timetable to its contractors. The Timetable can be found on the CMS website at the following link: http://www.cms.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/downloads/FY_2012_Wage_Index_Schedule.pdf. The FFY 2012 wage index is based upon wage data from Medicare

CMS Issues Stark Law Voluntary Disclosure Protocol

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:48 -0400

I. Introduction Section 6409 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act (the "Act") required the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the "Secretary") to develop a protocol, in cooperation with the Office of Inspector General ("OIG") of the Department of Health and Human Services, to enable health care providers

DOES YOUR BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT COMPLY WITH HEALTH CARE REFORM?

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:49 -0400

This installment of Hall Render's Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization. DOES YOUR BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT COMPLY WITH HEALTH CARE REFORM? Many employers are

PROPOSED REGULATIONS FOR REDUCED MEDICARE CLAIMS SUBMISSION PERIOD

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:50 -0400

In the June 14, 2010, issue of Hall Render's Health Law News we reported on a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("ACA") requiring all Medicare Part A and B claims to be filed within one (1) calendar year from the date of service, effective March 23,

HEALTH REFORM - IMPACT ON LONG TERM CARE PROVIDERS

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:44 -0400