Medicare & Medicaid
HHS estimated in 2018 that the 28.5% cut to drug reimbursement rates would save Medicare $1.6 billion.
This week's top stories include two competitors in consumer wellness and telehealth looking to score significant funding, and doctors, nurses and hospitals asking Congress for $100 billion to fight COVID-19.
One tracks the effectiveness of COVID-19 drug therapies and the other pays for counseling to slow the spread of the virus.
A new report by HHS Secretary Alex Azar is calling for congressional action to combat surprise billing and to promote price transparency.
Over half of beneficiaries said they have "low confidence" or "no confidence" in the government's pandemic response.
This data confirms the COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minorities.
Among other provisions, the bill extends the 5% advanced APM bonus for an additional six years and modifies thresholds to achieve the bonus.
The order reinstates a previously withdrawn rule mandating PBMs to give the rebate savings to consumers, rather than health plans.
The funds may be used to hire staff, start infection control programs, increase testing or provide technology to connect residents with families.
The anticipated reduction in health plan startup costs should allow Molina to recover the purchase price in about a year.