Progress And Support During Change Healthcare Cyber Attack
Some services have been restored by Change Healthcare and more are readying. Change says that claim preparation software for providers will soon come back online. Electronic payments have come back online. United says it has made more than $2 billion in advanced payments from its program.
United as an insurer, Highmark, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association have developed advanced payment programs for providers, but many other insurers are moving slowly on the idea. Other insurers are contracting with Change competitors to help providers file claims. They also are extending claim deadlines. Provider groups say aid is not enough. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is also asking states to submit state plan amendments so they can advance Medicaid payments.
Additional articles here: https://www.modernhealthcare.com/cybersecurity/change-update-unitedhealth-systems-progress and https://www.modernhealthcare.com/insurance/change-outage-prior-authorization-pay and https://www.modernhealthcare.com/government/change-update-cms-medicaid-reimbursements and https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/change-healthcare-cyberattack-medicaid-flexibilities-american-hospital-association-survey/710561/
(Some articles may require a subscription.)
#changehealthcare #cyberattacks
Both Providers And Payers Attack MedPAC Report
Providers say MedPAC, the congressional policy arm, is recommending way too little for providers moving forward. Physicians want a true overhaul of Medicare dox payments. AHIP, the payer lobby, is saying that MedPAC’s discussion on huge overpayments is wrong and highly speculative.
#medicareadvantage #medicare #providers
Walgreens Continues To Right Its Fiscal House
Walgreens will close two distribution centers in Florida and Connecticut and lay off hundreds of workers.
(Article may require a subscription.)
#walgreens
Progress On Another Healthcare Package In Limbo
Insiders say negotiations for another skinny healthcare package have failed thus far due to some holdouts in leadership. A new bill might include pharmacy benefit manager reforms, but chances are getting lower.
(Article may require a subscription.)
#pbms #drugpricing
AstraZeneca Will Lower Inhaler Prices
AstraZeneca will join Boehringer Ingelheim in capping out-of-pocket costs for its inhaler products at $35 per month. There are two brand holdouts – GSK and Teva.
Additional article: https://insidehealthpolicy.com/inside-drug-pricing-daily-news/astrazeneca-follows-boehringer-ingelheim-capping-inhaler-costs
(Some articles may require a subscription.)
#drugpricing #brandrugmakers
Two Good Blogs From Health Affairs Forefront On Price Transparency
Two good blogs on the issue of price transparency on the Health Affairs Forefront blog website. One focuses on hospital price transparency and reforms that can be made to make it easier for hospitals to comply (along with heftier penalties). The other discusses price transparency in general and recommends actions.
Additional article: https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/improving-hospital-compliance-price-transparency-rules
(Articles may require a subscription.)
#pricetransparency
Practical Suggestions To Avoid Cyber Attacks
A good article on four practical suggestions to help healthcare organizations avoid cyber attacks.
#cyberattacks
— Marc S. Ryan
