Congressional lawmakers must soon decide to continue or end payment changes for telehealth services enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, according to this KFF Health News article, Congress will likely “kick the can” past the November election.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced plans to initiate dozens of new audits this spring in an attempt to ground high-flying taxpayers and their personal usage of corporate aircrafts. These audits will focus primarily on “highest risk” corporations and large partnerships, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel stated. Werfel added that audits of high-income earners will likely follow to “ensure that high-income groups are not flying under the radar.”
What does December 31, 2024, mean to you? New Year’s Eve? Post-2024 election? Too far away to know?
Our answer: December 31, 2024, is when we will go over a “telehealth cliff” if Congress fails to act before that date, directly impacting care and access for Medicare beneficiaries. What is this telehealth cliff?
How can the independent sector and choice make a dent in reversing the increasingly high number of United Kingdom healthcare patients waiting for treatment? In this LaingBuisson News article, Sharon Lamb examines the latest waiting time data and offers perspective on potential solutions.
Asserting that many employers have improperly claimed Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) refunds, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released two new announcements that address ERTC claims. Following these new IRS announcements, most employers should consult their legal and tax advisors and consider filing protective refund claims to preserve their employment and income tax positions and to defend against potential IRS penalties and interest.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have further extended flexibilities that allow providers to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine without first performing an in-person visit. The flexibilities were initially provided during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The extension runs through December 31, 2024.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are extending telehealth flexibilities that allow providers to prescribe controlled substances. While the extension is in place, the DEA indicated that it will be further evaluating its recently proposed rules for post-COVID-19 public health emergency telemedicine prescription of controlled substances.
Members of Congress could call for more transparency about how hospitals use their federal drug discount program savings. According to this Bloomberg Law article, a study found that the Health Resources and Services Administration’s oversight of the 340B program could be improved. McDermott Partner Emily Jane Cook said there is interest in Congress overseeing aspects of hospitals, including the 340B program.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bill being introduced that imposes more explicit oversight requirements,” Cook said.
Reproduced with permission. Published May 15, 2023. Copyright 2023 by Bloomberg Industry Group, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bloombergindustry.com.
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are facing both regulatory and business risks following the conclusion of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). What are the major MA flexibilities and requirements related to the pandemic, and have they ended along with the PHE?
Numerous states—including Illinois, Hawaii, Tennessee, Montana, New Hampshire and Indiana—have been busy finalizing rulemaking and legislation impacting interstate compacts, professional practice standards and COVID-19 licensure flexibilities. What have these states been up to over the last month?
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