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HHS and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Extend Telemedicine Flexibilities Through December 31, 2025
This marks the third extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications. DEA and HHS continue to carefully consider the input received during two public listening sessions held in 2023 and are working to promulgate a final set of telemedicine regulations. Read more here.
IHS Announces New Methodology for Contract Support Costs on Third-Party Reimbursements
On December 20, 2024, the Indian Health Service (IHS) Director wrote to Tribal Leaders to announce a new methodology for calculating Contract Support Costs (CSC) on expenditures of third-party reimbursements, following the U.S. Supreme Court's June 6, 2024, decision in Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe and Becerra v. Northern Arapaho Tribe. This decision results from extensive Tribal Consultation sessions held in September and October 2024, where over 70 written comments were received from Tribes and Tribal Organizations. The Contract Support Costs Advisory Group (CSCAG) also played a crucial role, meeting six times between June and November 2024 to discuss implementation issues and provide recommendations.
The new methodology is effective immediately. IHS has provided a template and certification form to estimate eligible CSC for anticipated expenditures of program income (third-party reimbursements). These tools will also be used in final reconciliations of CSC incurred by Tribes and Tribal Organizations and may assist in resolving Contract Disputes Act claims. In the coming months, IHS will offer updates and CSC-specific training to assist in using these tools. For questions about this implementation, please contact Ms. Johnnita Tsabetsaye, Director, Contract Support Costs, Office of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes, IHS, at johnnita.tsabetsaye@ihs.gov. Learn more here.
IHS Released FY25 Approved Reimbursement Rates
The Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) has approved the rates for inpatient and outpatient medical care provided by the IHS facilities for Calendar Year 2025. The Calendar Year 2025 rates are as follows:
Inpatient Hospital Per Diem Rate (Excludes Physician/Practitioner Services) for CY 25
Lower 48 States: $5,580.
Alaska: $5,074.
Outpatient Per Visit Rate (Excluding Medicare) for CY 25
Lower 48 States: $801.
Alaska: $1,209.
Outpatient Per Visit Rate (Medicare) for CY 25
Lower 48 States: $718.
Alaska: $1,193.
Medicare Part B Inpatient Ancillary Per Diem Rate for CY 25
Lower 48 States: $1,074.
Alaska: $1,567.
Outpatient Surgery Rate (Medicare) for CY 25
Established Medicare rates for freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Centers.
Learn more here.
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