Debra A. McCurdy

The U.S. House and Senate are considering trade legislation that would be financed in part by $700 million from extended Medicare sequestration authority -- much to the consternation of the healthcare provider community.

In its annual recommendations to Congress on Medicare policies, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommends a 3.25 percent update to inpatient and outpatient hospital payment rates for 2016, as well as repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) methodology for physician services.

CMS yesterday published a notice indicating an increase in the Medicare Hospital OPPS conversion factor from $74.144 to $74.173, which will slightly increase payment rates for most ambulatory payment classifications.

This week the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) published its annual solicitation of recommendations for new or modified safe harbor provisions under the federal anti-kickback statute, as well as potential topics for new OIG Special Fraud Alerts.

Earlier this month, CMS published a final rule that expands the circumstances under which it may deny or revoke the Medicare enrollment of entities and individuals on program integrity grounds. Here are the details.

Earlier this month, CMS published its final rule to update the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and the Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System rates and policies for 2015. Here are the highlights.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General has posted its FY 2015 Work Plan, which summaries OIG's intended legal and investigative initiatives in the coming year. Among other issues, OIG wants to expand its oversight of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

Last week the HHS Office of Inspector General and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published a joint notice continuing the effectiveness of fraud and abuse law waivers granted in 2011 in connection with the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

The HHS Inspector General continues to fault CMS for failing to issue final regulations to enforce the location requirements for rural health clinics. The agency's inaction is costing taxpayers millions.

Last month the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published its proposed rule to update the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System rates and policies for calendar year 2015. Here's what you need to know.