Advocacy in Action

On October 3, 2023, Palmetto GBA, the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Part A Jurisdictions J and M, will host a webinar on LAAC and ICD focused on Medicare coverage and documentation requirements, top errors, and how to avoid claim denials. 

On October 2, 2023, the Heart Rhythm Society and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hosted a webinar on the agency’s role in regulating medical devices.

On September 20th, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury ("the Departments") issued a proposed rule setting forth an updated fee methodology and new fee rates, established by the No Surprises Act, for participation in the Federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process for certain IDR-eligible services that are provided to commercially-insured patients when the provider is out-of-network. 

On September 7th and 8th, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held its first meeting of its 2023-2024 policy making cycle.

CMS recently announced that the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) automatic Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) policy will apply to MIPS eligible clinicians in certain counties in the state of Hawaii impacted by recent wildfires.

In late August, HRS submitted comments to CMS voicing support for the creation of an alternative, expedited pathway for Medicare coverage of emerging devices and diagnostics in order to improve access to new technologies for Medicare beneficiaries.

On September 11th, HRS submitted its comments in response to the calendar year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule.

To help reduce the administrative burden on health care professionals and their staff, UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Cigna Healthcare announced removing prior authorization on specific medical services. 

On August 11, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra determined that a public health emergency (PHE) exists in the state of Hawaii due to the wildfires beginning on August 8, 2023.

CMS recently released MIPS performance feedback and final scores for the 2022 performance year, and associated MIPS payment adjustment information for the 2024 payment year.