MiraMed Global Services Podcast

Today's podcast takes a closer look at the just released 2022 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and ASC Payment System Final Rule (FR). Take a listen! 

​There's no doubt about it: Nicholas Cage is one of America's finest actors. In fact, he is so good at his craft that he has been among Hollywood's highest-paid personalities, amassing at one point $150 million in acting fees. That's quite a chunk of change. However, the Academy Award winner lost much of his fortune due to questionable spending habits. It wasn't like his National Treasure was Gone in Sixty Seconds, but over a period of time he eventually found himself broke and in trouble with the IRS. What could have possibly happened? Some suggest it was his purchase of the dinosaur bones or the 50 vehicles or the 15 estates and two castles, or any number of exotic acquisitions with which he has been associated over the years. Perhaps it would have helped to take an inventory of his balance sheet from time to time. 

It's a good idea, you know. We should all make time, on a periodic basis, to take stock of where we are from a financial standpoint. That goes for hospitals, as well; and, to that end, one organization is leading the way. Last month, the American Hospital Association (AHA) produced a report that sought to gauge the costs generally incurred by America's hospitals and health systems. The report, released late last month, addressed several drivers of hospital spending, which we will summarize in today's podcast. Take a listen! 

Breakdown of how the CARES Act funds were distributed to hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The No Surprise Act Final Rule initiated some "surprised" reactions from various healthcare organizations. Today's podcast takes a closer look.

This episode breaks down the No Surprises Act final rule (FR) which further defines provisions of the previously passed bill which aims to protect beneficiaries from unexpectedly high medical bills. This FR outlines a new independent dispute resolution process, good faith estimate requirements and patient/provider dispute resolution process for uninsured individuals.  Take a listen! 

Senators and U.S. representatives cannot come up with everything on their own. They have a staff and a team of legal experts who help craft and review legislation. But that's not all they have. They depend, in large measure, on advice and counsel coming from those who are experts in a particular field. In other words, they give ear to lobbyists, often allowing such individuals to help write provisions that become law. It is with this dynamic in mind, that we provide you with today's article.

Last week, we published an alert that outlined some of the key provisions of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule (PR) for 2022 that may affect hospitals. As promised in that alert, this week's article will provide additional details arising from the 2022 PR.

It's that time of year again. Last week, the government released the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule (PR), and there are some interesting changes that may be in store for hospitals. The following treatment is based on what we've gleaned from summaries of the PR released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the American Hospital Association (AHA).

On July 1, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury released an interim final rule (IFR) that acted to flesh out some of the provisions of the No Surprises Act (NSA), scheduled to go into effect next year.   

Right now, the American hospital industry seems to be recovering nicely from a devastating year of elective surgery cancelations, overworked staff, major shifts in care parameters, and a dip in case-related revenue.