Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
New Rules To Limit Nonprofit Hospitals' Use Of Aggressive Tactics On Payments
The New York Times: New Rules To Limit Tactics On Hospitals’ Fee Collections
The Obama administration has adopted sweeping new rules to discourage nonprofit hospitals from using aggressive tactics to collect payments from low-income patients. Under the rules, nonprofit hospitals must now offer discounts, free care or other financial assistance to certain needy patients. Additionally, hospitals must try to determine whether a patient is eligible for assistance before they refer a case to a debt collector, send negative information to a credit agency, place a lien on a patient’s home, file a lawsuit or seek a court order to seize a patient’s earnings. (Pear, 1/11)
In other news related to Medicare --
The Associated Press: Medicare Pays Doctors To Coordinate Seniors' Chronic Care
Adjusting medications before someone gets sick enough to visit the doctor. Updating outside specialists so one doctor's prescription doesn't interfere with another's. Starting this month, Medicare will pay primary care doctors a monthly fee to better coordinate care for the most vulnerable seniors — those with multiple chronic illnesses — even if they don't have a face-to-face exam. The goal is to help patients stay healthier between doctor visits, and avoid pricey hospitals and nursing homes. (Neergaard, 1/10)
Modern Healthcare: CMS To Recognize Interventional Cardiologists As Subspeciality
Next week, the CMS will recognize interventional cardiologists as a subspecialty, which they say will allow more fair and accurate comparisons of physician performance. In the short run, it means they can bill Medicare for consultations requested by a general cardiology colleague. And for the moment, it means more paperwork. The CMS announced its decision last spring and the new designation is effective Jan. 12, the agency said this week in response to a query from Modern Healthcare. (Robeznieks, 1/9)
