(Oct. 6, 2023) – CMS Announces Drug Manufacturers for Price Negotiation Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the drug companies that manufacture all 10 drugs selected for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for the first cycle have chosen to participate. The negotiations with participating drug companies for the selected drugs will occur in 2023 and 2024 with an effective date beginning in 2026.
HRSA Accepts Loan Repayment Program Applications
The Health Resources and Services Administration is accepting applications for the National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program. Students in their last year of medical, nursing or dental school may be eligible to receive loan repayment assistance through the program. In return, recipients provide at least three years of service to an NHSC-approved site in a designated health professional shortage area. The application cycle is open through Thursday, Dec. 7.
Congress Enacts Stopgap to Keep the Government Open
Congress enacted a continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown from occurring on Oct. 1. The legislation will extend the government funding for 45 days through Friday, Nov. 17. The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024, also will delay the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payment cuts until Saturday, Nov. 18.
CMS Corrects FFY 2024 PPS Payment and Policy Updates
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released four correction notices revising wage index values because of correcting one hospital's reported wage data. The correction affects the Medicare federal fiscal year 2024 acute inpatient, inpatient psychiatric facility, inpatient rehabilitation facility and skilled nursing facility prospective payment system.
CMC Requests Comment on State Medicaid Mental Health Parity
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Children's Health Insurance Program services are requesting public comments on methods and processes for assessing mental health parity under state Medicaid programs. Comments are due Monday, Dec. 4.
U.S. Households Can Order Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
U.S. households can again receive four free at-home COVID-19 tests. Tests may show expired dates on the box; however, the Food and Drug Administration has extended those dates. Orders may be placed online or by calling (800) 232-0233. Orders will ship free beginning the week of Monday, Oct. 2.
MLN Connects Provider eNews Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates to MLN Connects Provider eNews:
Before You Go ...
- The American Hospital Association posted a complimentary, on-demand webinar, Supportive Teams for Managing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention at Work. The webinar provides models, frameworks and guidelines for creating a safe and supportive environment for team members.
- Washington University's Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy and Economics Research published research documenting the reduction in uninsured hospital care subsequent to Missouri’s Medicaid expansion. The percentage of inpatient and emergency room services for adults ages 19 to 64 that were covered by Medicaid has risen steadily since the expansion of Medicaid coverage to this group in July 2021. This clearly corresponds to a reduction in the percentages of these services provided to uninsured adults over the same period.