The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is dropping its appeal of a June U.S. District Court ruling that vacated the government's restriction of third-party online tracking technologies on hospital webpages. The white flag came 10 days after the administration had filed its appeal to the Fifth Circuit. The case had been brought in late 2023 by the American Hospital Association (AHA) the Texas Hospital Association, Texas Health Resources and United Regional Health Care System, which had argued that HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) overstepped its authority with guidance it had issued in 2022.
Health systems are increasingly adopting AI-powered ambient clinical documentation tools, but the high costs associated with these technologies pose challenges. Organizations such as Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente, Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine, Stanford (Calif.) Health Care and Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham are expanding their use of AI tools to alleviate administrative burdens on providers. However, not all health systems can afford these advanced solutions.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded a new round of $100 million in funding to organizations that help consumers and small businesses find and enroll in health coverage through HealthCare.gov. Navigator programs offer free assistance to people exploring health coverage options through HealthCare.gov, from reviewing available plans to assisting with eligibility and enrollment forms, and post-enrollment services such as using their coverage to get care. Navigators can also assist people in helping enroll in or renew Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage.
Feds killed plan to curb Medicare Advantage overbilling after industry opposition
A decade ago, federal officials drafted a plan to discourage Medicare Advantage health insurers from overcharging the government by billions of dollars—only to abruptly back off amid an “uproar” from the industry, newly released court filings show. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published the draft regulation in January 2014. The rule would have required health plans, when examining patient’s medical records, to identify overpayments by CMS and refund them to the government. But in May 2014, CMS dropped the idea without any public explanation. Newly released court depositions show that agency officials repeatedly cited concern about pressure from the industry.
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