OIG will again audit "Inpatient Claims Under the Post-Acute-Care Transfer Policy (PACT)," according to a new update of its work plan. bit.ly/3yFUWsL

Here's an updated link on the OIG Work Plan item (PACT): bit.ly/3yFUWsL

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health in MD agreed to pay $296,870 to resolve FCA allegations over radiation therapy and diagnostic services that didn't have the required physician supervision, DOJ says. bit.ly/3a87tuH

HHS is finalizing its withdrawal of the SUNSET regulation, which was originally finalized in the waning days of the Trump administration. The SUNSET rule said rules expire if they aren’t reviewed after a decade. bit.ly/3MPoisU

OCR has issued guidance on providing HIPAA-compliant telehealth services, including when the PHE enforcement discretion ends. bit.ly/39qAaTE

Does this new OIG report foreshadow an expansion of CMS's site neutral payment policy? bit.ly/39m1YZo

Actually, the OCR guidance is specific to audio-only telehealth.

In a new memo about the covid vaccine mandate, CMS said surveyors will review for compliance "only during initial and recertification surveys and in response to specific complaint allegations that allege non-compliance," not every survey. go.cms.gov/3zMERSi

The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of hospitals in the big case about 340B payments, which were cut almost 30% by CMS in 2018. The high court called the 2018 and 2019 reimbursement rates for 340B hospitals "contrary to the statute" and "unlawful."

DOJ says it filed a FCA lawsuit against American Health Foundation, affiliate AHF Management Corp and three affiliated nursing homes for allegedly "providing grossly substandard skilled nursing services" from 2016 to 2018. bit.ly/3xUI6G9

Without elaborating, CMS said this morning it "reduced the number of claims in the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing program report for reporting year 2023. We’ll send you a letter if your claims are impacted by this reduction." go.cms.gov/3tElxms

HHS is now holding press conference on Supreme Court abortion decision and what it will do now. Also, HHS has launched new website, reproductiverights.gov

HHS Becerra is speaking of directives for CMS, OCR and other agencies and he reminded providers of requirements under EMTALA. "This is a critical moment in our history," he said, and "Our hearts are heavy and broken by this loss of dignity."

People who deal with Medicare Advantage denials, take note of the closing gap: CMS just said as of March, 34,891,994 are enrolled in Original Medicare, while 29,469,280 are enrolled in Medicare Advantage or other health plans. bit.ly/3OvdO2D

CMS also just updated surveyor guidance for nursing home resident safety and health. go.cms.gov/3NqEm3z

OCR just issued guidance "to help protect patients seeking reproductive health care, as well as their providers," after the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade. The guidance, among other things, addresses how laws/regs protect PHI related to abortion and addresses tech

OIG has posted its 2021 report on the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program. bit.ly/3urs0S5

CMS just announced the 2023 proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule. bit.ly/3bTuLp0

Unless I am hallucinating, CMS is proposing to delay for a year its plan to use time as the only way to determine whose NPI to bill a shared/split visit under (physician vs. NPP). The "substantive portion" could be based on medical decision making, time, other elements.

CMS said today "if a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the health or life of the pregnant person — or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALA’s emergency medical condition definition — that state law is preempted." go.cms.gov/3P1j1zg