With cases of the H1N1 Virus continuing to increase, employers’ concerns about the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu are mounting. Employers are facing workplace and leave issues and many are developing written H1N1 and contagious disease policies to help minimize the negative effects an influenza outbreak could have on their business. Anticipating many questions from employers, the
September 2009
MGMA Comments to Baucus Proposed America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009
Medical Staff Joint Commission Standards: MS.01.01.01 is the New MS.1.20
The Joint Commission has released a revised draft of Hospital Accreditation Standard MS.1.20, which was first proposed in June 2007 and intended to establish a balance of power between hospital administration and hospital medical staffs. Although originally scheduled to become effective January 1, 2009, the controversy and uproar accompanying the proposals in 2007 were so…
DMEPOS Accreditation Required September 30, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers enrolled with the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) they are required to obtain accreditation by September 30, 2009. Without accreditation, DMEPOS suppliers’ billing privileges will be revoked on or after October 1, 2009. Further, without accreditation, DMEPOS suppliers will not…
NYT Reports 564 Amendments to Baucus Bill Already
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Employee Benefits Law Alert – “Summary Prospectus” Now May be Used
"Summary Prospectus" Now May Be Used
Under ERISA Section 404(c) in Lieu of Statutory Prospectus
On September 8, 2009, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) issued Field Assistance Bulletin 2009-03. This guidance states that a fiduciary may continue to satisfy ERISA Section 404(c)’s requirements by providing a mutual fund’s “summary prospectus” rather than …
MGMA Identifies Key Physician Healthcare Reform Issues In Baucus Bill
- Replacing the scheduled 21.5 percent reduction in 2010 Medicare physician payments with a 0.5 percent increase;
- Requiring that all eligible health professionals participate in Medicare’s Physician Quality Reporting Initiative by 2011;
- Creating a 10 percent bonus payment for primary-care and general-surgery providers who practice in health professional shortage areas. Funding for this five-year bonus,
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Senate Finance Committee Chairman Introduces Health Reform Bill
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) has introduced the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009. It is scheduled for a full Committee markup on September 22, where Democrats hope to obtain more Republican support.
The bill offers initiatives that will help all Americans meet the requirement of having health coverage, such as the expansion…
The Controversial E-Verify System
As of September 8, 2009, all federal contractors and subcontractors are now required to utilize the controversial E-Verify system to confirm an employees right to work legally in the United States. In addition, those companies receiving stimulus funds will be required to implement E-Verify. The controversy arises from the fact that the administration continues to …
The Controversial E-Verify System
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