Tag: DHHS

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has named Eric Hargan as acting secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services. Last week, Hargan was confirmed 57-38 to fill the No. 2 position at HHS. Hargan will fill the post vacated by Tom Price, who resigned in the wake of criticism of his frequent use of costly charter flights to travel to government engagements. Hargan, a former attorney, served at HHS during the Bush administration in various roles, including deputy general counsel, principal...

WASHINGTON - Growth in U.S. healthcare spending over the next 10 years will be modest in comparison to historical trends, according to a Sept. 18 report from the CMS Office of the Actuary. The report credits the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and decreased spending on prescription drugs and physician services with moderating health spending, even as health care becomes more accessible and more baby boomers enter the Medicare program. Among the report's key findings: Growth in healthcare spending is estimated...

WASHINGTON - Enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is expected to increase for the fourth year in a row in 2014, with only slight increases in premiums expected.Premiums are expected to be, on average, $1.64 more, or $32.60, according to a Sept. 19 press release from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).“As a result of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans remain strong and continue to provide improved benefits and low premiums for beneficiaries,”...

WASHINGTON - New regulations governing patient privacy go into effect Sept. 23, and industry stakeholders say many HME providers aren't ready.In January, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a final rule modifying the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) to increase enforcement efforts and penalties when protected health information is breached.“It's no longer a matter of you getting a complaint and mitigating the damage,” said Denise Fletcher Leard,...

MINNEAPOLIS - A federal judge may have granted the government's request to dismiss a competitive bidding-related lawsuit filed against CMS by a specialty HME provider, but that doesn't mean he thinks justice was served.“This is a sad day for those who believe that when a judge adheres, even-handedly, to his or her oath of office, justice will prevail and the public interest will be served,” U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank wrote in a memorandum.Shoreview, Minn.-based Key Medical Supply,...

WASHINGTON - The Department of Health and Human Services will waive or modify requirements for Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP providers in New York and New Jersey due to Hurricane Sandy.HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has declared a public health emergency in the two states under section 1135 of the Social Security Act, clearing the way for providers to submit waiver requests to CMS for at least 60 days.“The purpose of the waivers is to get Medicare regulations out of your way to increase your...