Tag: Department of Health and Human Services

Becerra Narrowly Confirmed as Next HHS Secretary

The United States Senate confirmed former California congressman and Attorney General Xavier Becerra to be the next Seceretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) by a vote of 50-49, with all Democrats voting to support the nominee and Susan Collins (R-ME) the sole Republican also voting to confirm. It is the narrowest confirmation of any…

Becerra Confirmation Hearings Cover Pandemic Plans, More Provider Funds

Congressional hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday (February 23, 24) of this week for Xavier Becerra, President Biden’s nominee to be the next Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), revealed a core of Republican opposition to his confirmation, but it appears he has strong support from his fellow Democrats. If confirmed, Becerra…

HHS Extended Provider Relief Fund Application Deadline for Medicaid and CHIP

The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced that the deadline to submit an application for the Medicaid and CHIP Distribution of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) program  is August 3, 2020. The deadline was July 20 but HHS extended the it to August 3. HHS also recently announced that there will be a webcast…

NAHC Receives Clarification on CARES Act Distributions, Potential Fund Takebacks

NAHC has become aware of concerns about a “take-back” of monies related to the Emergency Fund distribution that occurred on April 10 and April 17, with the second distribution that began on April 24. The amount distributed in the first round turned out to be greater than the calculated amount set out in the second round…

HHS Begins Release of Additional Funds to Providers

The Department of Health & Human Services has begun releasing additional funds to health care providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act legislation provides relief to American families, workers, and the healthcare providers on the frontline of the COVID-19 outbreak. Among its provisions, the Act appropriated $100 billion for distribution to health care…

Congress Passes Coronavirus Funding Bill

Telehealth waivers passed, but do not apply to home health or hospice In response to spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, Congress passed an $8.3 billion supplemental appropriations package designed to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. This new federal spending that will largely be directed to the Department of Health and Human Services…

HHS Warns of Potential Cyber Threat to Health Care Entities

Below is an announcement from the HHS Office for Civil Rights related to a cyber threat potentially impacting healthcare and public health (HPH) sector entities. The purpose of this bulletin is to notify you of a number of vulnerabilities identified in Microsoft Windows operating systems which if not addressed, pose significant threat to the environment.…

House Approves Labor-HHS Spending Blueprint for FY2020

Last week the House of Representatives approved legislation that provides discretionary funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In total, H.R. 2740 would dole out a combined $192 billion for the Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and their related agencies. Every year in the appropriations process specific funding levels need to…

NAHC Submits Comments on Advancing Interoperability

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) in association with the Health Care Technology Association of America (HCTAA, an advisory council to NAHC) summited comments on two proposed rules that address advancing interoperability in health care programs. On February 11, 2019 the Department of Health and Human Services issued two proposed rules. One …

Recently Added OIG Work Plan Item May Impact Home Health and Hospice Providers

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) work planning is dynamic and adjustments are made throughout the year to meet priorities and to anticipate and respond to emerging issues. A Work Plan has been developed, made public, and updated monthly with new issues.  This month, there are two new issues…