NAHC Meets with OMB to Discuss Medicaid Access Rule

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On Monday, February 26th, NAHC President Bill Dombi, Senior Director of Government Affairs Calvin McDaniel, and Director of Medicaid Advocacy Damon Terzaghi were joined by NAHC Board Members David Totaro and Jennifer Sheets in a meeting with the Office of Management and Budget at the White House. In the meeting, which was also attended by […]

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CMS Sends Medicaid Access Rule to OMB

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On Friday, January 26, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sent the final Medicaid Access Rule (CMS-2442-F) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance. OMB review is the last step in the process prior to release of a regulation in the Federal Register. Although the rule is […]

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Draft OASIS-E1 Instrument Now Available

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently posted the draft OASIS-E1 All Items instrument, scheduled for an effective date of January 1, 2025. The accompanying OASIS-E1 Manual will be released at a later date. An Office of Management and Budget (OMB) number and the information collection timeframe estimate are yet to be assigned.  The […]

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NEW: DEA Temporarily Extends Flexibilities for Telehealth Prescribing

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Yesterday, May 9, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a temporary rule that extends telemedicine flexibilities regarding prescription of controlled medications.  The goal of the rule is to ensure a smooth transition for patients and practitioners that have come to rely on the availability […]

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Update on DEA Proposed Rule on Telemedicine Prescribing

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In late February 2023 (see NAHC Report), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) proposed a rule intended to govern the prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine for application at the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The proposed rule focuses on prescribing of a controlled substance via telemedicine consultation by a medical practitioner when no in-person […]

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CMS Releases Report on Hospice Special Focus Program

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As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA), Congress enacted significant changes to the hospice survey process, including creation of a Special Focus Program (SFP) for poor performing hospice providers. In the CY 2022 home health final rule the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final rules governing the survey reforms […]

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New ABN Form Available

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The Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, and form instructions have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal. The use of the renewed form with the expiration date of 01/31/2026 will be mandatory on 6/30/23. You may continue to use the ABN form with the expiration date of […]

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White House Seeks Public Input on the Regulatory Process

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As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing priority to improve public participation in the development of regulations, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will host a public Listening Session on “Public Participation in the Regulatory Process” on March 7, 2023 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM […]

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COVID-19 Emergencies to End May 11

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President Joe R. Biden informed the United States Congress on Monday, January 30, that he will end the COVID-19 public health emergencies (PHE) on May 11, 2023, three years after the PHE was first announced. Ending the COVID-19 PHE will alter how the virus is treated, downgrading it from a pandemic to an endemic public […]

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CMS Submits OASIS-E to OMB

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The Office of Management & Budget (OMB) has issued the information collection packet for the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS)-E, which includes three attachments and the Supporting Statement document outlining the burden estimate for both home health agencies (HHAs)  and the federal government. The OASIS-E assessment tool is effective January 1, 2023. Attachment A […]

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Updated OASIS-E Released

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an updated draft of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS)- E. The instrument is a revision of the OASIS-E that was originally issued in March 2020, prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The updated version includes the addition of the “patient declines to […]

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