On December 10, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) collaborated on announcing proposed HIPAA changes, intended to “empower patients” and “improve coordination of care”.
That’s encouraging, although one would have thought that to be unnecessary by now. HIPAA was enacted in 1996. It is a…
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has announced “Amendments to Charge for Medical Records”. Attached is the link for a copy of the notice.
CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule Update
On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act modified the Calendar Year (CY) 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS):
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This article written by Michael A. Cassidy appeared in the December 2020 Issue of the Allegheny County Medical Society Bulletin.
Recent reports indicate that House and Senate Committee leaders have apparently mutually agreed on a bipartisan arrangement for correcting or preventing surprise medical bills, although legislation has not yet been passed.
Attached is an outline of the “No Surprise Act”, which essentially deals with insured patients receiving unexpected bills for medical services.
Note…
EHR Safe Harbor Permanent
The existing electronic health records items and services Safe Harbor in 42 CFR Section 1001.952(y) was amended by deleting the sunset provision, thereby making the protection permanent.
Cybersecurity Technology and Services
A new Safe Harbor for cybersecurity and technology services is added in 42 CFR Section 1001.952(jj) to facilitate improved cybersecurity. …
On December 2, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will jointly publish the final regulations first proposed on October 17, 2019:
1. AKS Safe Harbors: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-26072.pdf
2. Stark Exceptions: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-26140.pdf
The regulations will become effective January 19,…
The Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) is presenting its virtual 2020 Fall Summit on December 1st through December 4th. Mike Cassidy will participate in the Keynote Panel addressing the telehealth issues presented in the OIG’s September 2020 National Health Care Fraud and Opioid Takedown.
This article written by Michael Cassidy appeared in the September issue of the Allegheny County Medical Society Bulletin.
Use this link to read the article.
The Taskforce on Telehealth Policy (TTP) conveyed by NCQA, the Alliance for Connected Care, and the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) issued a report urging the retention of the new policies on telehealth issued by CMS during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Use this link to view the report.
