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Healthcare Policy News
Administration Invests $19 Million for Telehealth in Rural and Underserved Communities
On August 18, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that it is investing over $19 million to strengthen telehealth services in rural and underserved areas. The funds will be allocated to 36 recipients through the Health Resources and Services Administration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Specifically, the investments will go towards the following telehealth programs: Telehealth Technology-Enabled Learning Program; Telehealth Resource Centers; Evidence-Based Direct to Consumer Telehealth Network Program; and the Telehealth Centers of Excellence program. Since these services have increased access to care, particularly during the pandemic, the funding will promote an expansion and equity of treatment to the most vulnerable of populations. Read the press release…
Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and $3.5 Trillion Budget Resolution
On August 10, the U.S. Senate passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package by a vote of 69-30, with 19 Republicans joining in support of the legislation. The bill contains traditional infrastructure-related provisions to fund roads, bridges, transit, and broadband build-out with nearly $550 billion in new funding. The package will now be sent to the US. House of Representatives, which is currently in recess. The Senate also recently passed a $3.5 trillion budget resolution on a 50-49 party-line vote. Roughly one-third of the $3.5 trillion budget framework consists of healthcare related provisions, including an expansion of the Medicare program to include dental, vision, and hearing care; lowering of the Medicare eligibility age to 60 years old; closing the Medicaid gap; making permanent recent increases to health insurance subsidies; increasing access to home and community-based services; addressing health professional shortages; and preparing for the next pandemic. Read more about the deal…
APM Incentive Payment Details from CMS Are Now Available Online
In June, eligible clinicians who were Alternative Payment Model (APM) Qualifying Participants (QPs) based on their 2019 performance began receiving their 5 percent APM Incentive Payments for 2021 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Details on the amounts paid to individuals and organizations can now be viewed on the Quality Payment Program (QPP) website. CMS has issued a list of unpaid QPs for whom they have been unable to complete payments. QPs who have not begun to receive their payment should download the file from the public notice, check for their name, and verify their Medicare billing information by Nov. 1. For assistance you can reach out to the QPP Help Desk at QPP@cms.hhs.gov or call 1-866-288-8292. Download and read the public notice… |
