The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held a meeting to discuss its research on an alternative method to establish Medicare payments for conditions treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs). Following MedPAC’s chapter on an aligned post-acute care (PAC) payment system earlier this year, the Commission decided to pursue smaller-scale site neutral payments. Chair Michael Chernew summarized the discussion by saying… (McClurg, October 6, 2023) #Post-Acute Care, #Skilled Nursing Facilities, #Therapy

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) jointly issued a second temporary rule that extends the full set of COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities for prescription of controlled medications through December 31, 2024. What is it. The agencies note that as the DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continue to… (Slifer, October 6, 2023) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Prescription Drugs, #Telehealth

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to discuss the Commission’s workplan to analyze generic drug prices in Medicare Part D. MedPAC staff detailed that the Commission is currently examining generic drug prescription drug event (PDE) data, as well as interviewing pharmaceutical supply chain stakeholders to determine factors that impact generic drugs being priced higher in Medicare than… (Slifer, October 6, 2023) #Generic Drugs, #Medicare Part D, #Prescription Drugs

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC) Program issued a request for supplemental evidence and data submissions (SEADs) to inform its review on Mental Health and Occupational Stress in the Emergency Medical Service and 911 Workforce.  AHRQ commissioned the EPC Program to conduct a systematic review on occupational stress and or/mental health in the 911 and… (Marceno, October 3, 2023) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Quality, #Workforce

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report showing that biosimilar competition has led to lower costs for the Medicare Part B program and enrollees. Part B drugs are usually large, complex molecules delivered through infusions or injections in a doctor’s office. These are some of the most costly drugs and often… (McClurg, October 3, 2023) #Biosimilars

On Friday, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-OA) announced a request for stakeholder input to inform potential reforms to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in areas such as increasing the pace of science, organizing NIH for success, and increasing transparency and oversight. Comments are due October 27. Political Landscape. Ranking Member Cassidy opens his letter… (Lewis, October 2, 2023) #National Institutes of Health

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an updated estimate that indicates the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to explore innovative health care payment models, is expected to increase federal spending by $1.3 billion from 2021 to 2030. This follows a significant increase in spending by CMMI during its first decade, where… (Colocho, September 29, 2023) #Budget, #Costs, #Delivery Reform, #Program Integrity, #Public Health

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released multiple pieces of information for states and stakeholders. The release, described in full below, includes a letter reinforcing the continuous eligibility requirement for individuals 19 and under; additional state data related to Medicaid and CHIP eligibility renewals, and questions for public comment on Medicaid and CHIP implementation of the Mental… (Marceno, September 29, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Public Health

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposed rule to amend it regulations to make explicit that in vitro diagnostic products (IVDs) are devices under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, including when the manufacturer of the IVD is a laboratory (press release). What is it. Historically, the FDA has exercised enforcement discretion over laboratory developed tests (LDT),… (Slifer, September 29, 2023) #Food and Drug Administration, #Medical Devices

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $42.6 million in Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) grants for 17 states and 60 communities across the country. SPF-PFS grants were established to prevent substance use initiation and reduce the development of substance use problems. Funding supports prevention efforts by supporting the advancement of and delivery of… (Marceno, September 28, 2023) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Opioids, #Prevention