On March 9, 2024, President Biden signed into law a $460 billion spending package to continue funding the federal government for the remainder of the 2024 fiscal year. Contained within the spending package was legislation to cut in half the 2024 Medicare physician payment update of approximately -3.4%. This Health Capital Topics article discusses the payment update, other healthcare provisions contained in the bipartisan spending bills, and responses from stakeholders. (Read more...)
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On March 5, 2024, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Antitrust Division, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced the launch of a multi-agency inquiry – in the form of a request for information (RFI) and public workshop – focusing on the increasing control of private equity (PE) and other corporations over the healthcare industry. This Health Capital Topics article discusses the agencies recent actions and how it appears to be in line with the government’s recent moves to crack down on anticompetitive actions in healthcare. (Read more...)
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On February 22, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced their recovery of $2.68 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases related to the False Claims Act (FCA) for fiscal year (FY) 2023. The FY 2023 overall recoveries were slightly higher than the FY 2022 recoveries of $2.2 billion. Of the $2.68 billion recovered, over $1.8 billion was recouped from the healthcare industry alone, and included recoveries from managed care providers, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, physicians, and long-term care facilities. These recoveries reflect the DOJ’s focus on new enforcement priorities, including violations of cybersecurity requirements in government-funded grants and contracts and fraud in pandemic relief programs. (Read more...)
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Diagnostic imaging centers operate in a highly competitive environment with other providers of diagnostic imaging, such as hospitals and physician offices. While hospitals may have some competitive advantages over freestanding imaging centers (e.g., location, wherein the patient is already admitted to the hospital and the reading radiologist is on-site), imaging centers have become more desirable by both patients, who find the freestanding locations to be more convenient, and payors, who find services at freestanding locations to be less expensive than those performed in the hospital or a hospital outpatient department (HOPD). This second installment in a five-part series on the valuation of diagnostic imaging centers will discuss the competitive environment in which these centers operate. (Read more...)
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It’s not too late to register! The American College of Surgeons 2024 Leadership and Advocacy Summit, on April 13-16, 2024, will include a session with HCC's Todd Zigrang, alongside a blockbuster lineup of panelists. The Summit offers comprehensive and specialized sessions to provide ACS members, leaders, and advocates with topics focused on effective surgeon leadership, as well as interactive advocacy training with coordinated visits to Congressional offices.
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"OPPS Final Rule Issued by CMS" authored by HCC President, Todd A. Zigrang, MBA, MHA, FACHE, CVA, ASA, ABV, and, HCC Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Jessica Bailey-Wheaton, Esq., was published by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) in QuickRead.
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