Policy and Legislation

Average payments are $58,000 for small providers, $289,000 for medium providers, and $1.7 million for larger providers.

The court is establishing the precedent that states may make their own decisions on mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups.

The rule, which goes into effect in January, gives insurers incentive to exclude higher-cost specialized services from their networks, lawsuit says. 

This week's top stories include the formation of Telehealth Access for America, which aims to protect and expand access to telehealth, and a last-minute deal that averted massive cuts to reimbursement to hospitals and physicians.

In 2020, overdose deaths increased more than 30%, leading to more than 93,000 deaths, driven by fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.

The AMA and others had urged Congress to act to avoid cuts of 9.7% from taking effect Jan. 1.

In this Monthly Update, HIMSS Media Editor in Chief Jonah Comstock surveys the top headlines, including news from the FDA and CMS, and Amazon's recent moves.

Additional costs to states could be offset by lower administrative burdens and potentially improve health of enrollees, findings show.

Medicare spending on physician services totaled $82.9 billion in 2020, down from $95 billion the year prior, data shows.

The appeal is in response to court rulings saying the federal government overstepped its authority by not seeking Congressional approval.