May 2010 - Posts

Implementation of FY 2011 Hospital Payment Provisions
May 28, 2010 8:29 AM by Frank Irving

Health care providers should review the Proposed Rule posted May 21 by CMS and consider submitting comments on the effects of the suggested provisions. Guest commentary from Eric Zimmerman and Amy Hooper Kearbey of the law firm McDermott, Will & Emery, Read More...

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Comparative Effectiveness Research
May 27, 2010 8:34 AM by Frank Irving

Stakeholders should monitor and engage in the processes that will shape the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Guest commentary from Sheila D. Walcoff and Paul W. Radensky, MD, partners in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery, LLP Section Read More...

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Likely Reduction for Retiree Health Benefits
May 26, 2010 10:09 AM by Frank Irving

Large organizations expect to cut employer-sponsored programs. According to survey results released May 25 by professional services firm Towers Watson, most employers are convinced that health care reform will lead to increased costs and a reduction in Read More...

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New Tax Credit Supports Biomedical Research
May 25, 2010 6:46 AM by Frank Irving

Applications for certification may be submitted June 21. On May 21, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced guidelines for applying for the Therapeutic Discovery Project Program, created by the Affordable Care Act. The therapeutic discovery tax Read More...

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Employers Concerned about Excise Tax on High-cost Plans
May 24, 2010 2:29 PM by Frank Irving

Employers worried about factors beyond their control. Last week, consulting firm Mercer released a report based on a survey of 791 employers regarding expected impact from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Aside from expecting moderate Read More...

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Employers Bracing for Higher Health Care Costs
May 21, 2010 10:37 AM by Frank Irving

Survey indicates cost impact will range from moderate to severe. Consulting firm Mercer surveyed 791 employers this month about whether they expect Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) rules will cause costs to rise in 2011, and if so, by Read More...

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Primary View
May 20, 2010 11:27 AM by Frank Irving

Political analyst points out pattern from May 18 primaries. One pattern emerging from the May 18 primary elections is a voter backlash against spending. Michael Barone, senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner , pointed out that all three Read More...

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HHS Issues RFI on Accounting for Disclosures Through an EHR
May 19, 2010 8:54 AM by Frank Irving

HITECH provisions require HIPAA covered entities to account for PHI disclosures. Guest commentary from Stephen W. Bernstein, Bernadette M. Broccolo, Esther Chang, Daniel F. Gottlieb and Karen S. Sealander, attorneys with the law firm of McDermott, Will Read More...

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Navigating the Principal ‘Immediate’ Health Insurance Reforms
May 18, 2010 8:38 AM by Frank Irving

A summary of provisions that become effective for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23. Guest commentary from Arnold V. Pamplona, a partner in the Health Practice Group of law firm McDermott Will & Emery, LLP Among the more popular reforms included Read More...

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HHS and DOJ Team Up on Fraud Prevention
May 17, 2010 10:29 AM by Frank Irving

Details from May 13 press conference. Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder said on May 13 that provisions in the recently passed Affordable Care Act law will bolster current fraud-fighting efforts Read More...

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Quality Initiatives
May 14, 2010 8:26 AM by Frank Irving

The thread that ties together health reform legislation. Guest commentary from Sandra M. DiVarco, a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery, LLP Few concepts are as integral to the foundations of health care reform as quality of care concerns Read More...

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HHS and DOJ to Highlight Fraud-Prevention and Enforcement Efforts
May 13, 2010 8:42 AM by Frank Irving

News conference May 13 at 4 p.m. EDT. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder will discuss efforts to fight fraud using new tools provided by the Affordable Care Act at a press Read More...

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Congress Creates Independent Payment Advisory Board
May 12, 2010 8:32 AM by Frank Irving

Are Medicare solvency decisions finally on the way? Guest commentary from Eric Zimmerman and Paul W. Radensky MD, partners in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery, LLP One of the key questions about the implementation of the Patient Protection and Read More...

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Poll Shows Voter Opposition to Health Plan
May 11, 2010 1:52 PM by Frank Irving

Impact on quality, costs and federal deficit are the main concerns. According to survey results released May 3 by polling firm Rasmussen Reports, most U.S. voters believe the health care plan passed by Congress in March will be bad for the country, and Read More...

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Health Care Reform: Early Retiree Reinsurance Program
May 10, 2010 12:16 PM by Frank Irving

New program goes into effect June 1. Guest commentary from Susan M. Nash, Amy M. Gordon and Joanna C. Kerpen, McDermott Will & Emery, LLP Employers providing health coverage to early retirees should be aware of the new retiree reinsurance program Read More...

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