(Jan. 5, 2024) – CMS Proposes Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed rule that would require HHS to establish appeals processes for certain Medicare beneficiaries who initially are admitted as hospital inpatients but subsequently are reclassified as outpatients receiving observation services. Specifically, the rule proposes standard, expedited and retrospective appeals processes. CMS states within the footnotes that "the appeals processes proposed in this rule do not extend to enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans." Comments are due Monday, Feb. 26.
CMS Finalizes CLIA Fees, Histocompatibility, Personnel and Alternative Sanctions for Certificate of Waiver Laboratories
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a final rule that adjusts laboratory fees, revises certain requirements for both the histocompatibility tests specialty as well as personnel qualifications and responsibilities, and allows CMS to impose alternative sanctions against noncompliant Certificate of Waiver laboratories.
ACMT, AACT Release Statement on Nalmefene
The American College of Medical Toxicology and American Academy of Clinical Toxicology released a joint opinion advising that nalmefene should not replace naloxone as the primary opioid antidote. Nalmefene was approved for use via injection in 1995 but was removed from the market in 2008. In May 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved it as an intranasal product. Because Nalmefene was approved for use in the past, new clinical studies were not completed before approval of this new product. Due to the lack of new data, Naloxone should continue to be utilized to treat known or suspected opioid overdose.
HRSA Announces Funding Opportunity for PCTE-PARB
The Health Resources and Services Administration released a new grant opportunity to increase the number of trained physician assistants practicing in rural areas after graduation. The Primary Care Training and Enhancement: Physician Assistant Rural Training in Behavioral Health Program aims to address the need to train primary care physician assistants to prevent, identify, diagnose, treat and refer services for behavioral health conditions. Applications are due Friday, March 15.
MLN Connects Provider eNews Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates to MLN Connects Provider eNews: