Tag: American Hospital Association

CMS Unveils Contentious Prior Authorization Reform Rule Proposals

CMS Unveils Contentious Prior Authorization Reform Rule Proposals

Physicians and healthcare experts are urging Medicare to lead reforms in the time-consuming prior authorization (PA) process, which often causes delays in patient care. However, they caution against excessive reform, as it could exacerbate the problem rather than improving it. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have put forth two proposals for […]
Low Reimbursement Rates Lead to Rural Hospital Closures

Low Reimbursement Rates Lead to Rural Hospital Closures

Low reimbursement rates, staffing shortages, low patient volumes, and regulatory barriers are some of the root causes of rural hospital closures, the American Hospital Association (AHA) explains in a new report. The report “Rural Hospital Closures Threaten Access: Solutions to Preserve Care in Local Communities” highlights the variety of causes behind rural hospital closures, which […]
Recent Updates on Home Health Medicare Reimbursement

Recent Updates on Home Health Medicare Reimbursement

AHA said that the 2.7 percent Medicare reimbursement update for home health agencies does not accurately reflect the financial challenges that home health agencies have faced during the pandemic. The American Hospital Association (AHA) has urged CMS to reconsider the Medicare reimbursement update for home health agencies proposed in the Calendar Year 2023 Home Health […]
AHA Calls for Medicare Advantage Inclusion in Prior Authorization Rule

AHA Calls for Medicare Advantage Inclusion in Prior Authorization Rule

The American Hospital Association (AHA) has asked CMS to include Medicare Advantage organizations in its proposed rule that would streamline the prior authorization process and reduce patient care delays. In December 2020, CMS released a notice of proposed rulemaking about improving prior authorization, following past administrative and clinician struggles. If the rule is finalized, there […]
AHA Pens Oppositions to 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

AHA Pens Oppositions to 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

The organization is concerned about policies in the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, ranging from telehealth worries to apprehension about MIPS. The AHA agreed with certain aspects of the rule but also voiced various problems and recommendations for CMS to consider. The AHA opposed several telehealth policies that CMS included in the rule. The […]