FDA Expands Abortion Pill Access, IDR Process Faces Over 90,000 Disputes
FDA officials made a nationwide change to the availability of a critical abortion drug, and the IDR process implemented for the No Surprises Act is experiencing a surge in disputes.
Source: Getty Images
By - Last week retail pharmacies were granted permission by the FDA to distribute critical abortion medication to patients with a prescription. Meanwhile, the federal government shared that it was experiencing challenges with its independent dispute resolution (IDR) process after payers and providers submitted more than 90,000 disputes between April and September of 2022.
Healthcare Sector Threatened by Clop Ransomware
The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) shared an analyst note last week concerning the threat of Clop ransomware. According to the notification, the group has been infecting files that look like medical documents and submitting them to facilities. Attacks have apparently been successful due to the expansion of telehealth technology at US healthcare providers.
To defend against the rising threat, HC3 recommends that organizations remain vigilant of common attack vectors, including credential abuse, phishing, and known vulnerabilities. READ MORE.
Federal Telehealth Program for COVID-19 Patients
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is launching a Home Test to Treat program that will provide access to tests, telehealth sessions, and prescriptions at home.
“At-home testing for COVID-19 is now widely available in the United States, as are antiviral treatments, and this program combines easy home access to both,” said Bruce Tromberg, PhD, director of NIBIB at the NIH and leader of the RADx Tech program, in a press release. “The Home Test to Treat program allows those who are sick an alternative to venturing out for testing or treatment, potentially reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.” READ MORE.
FDA Expands Abortion Pill Access
The FDA will allow retail pharmacies to distribute the abortion medication Mifepristone to patients with a valid prescription. The drug can be used in combination with misoprostol to terminate a pregnancy within the first 70 days of gestation. According to the new FDA rule, physicians with Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy Program certifications are eligible to prescribe the medication, and patients can fill that prescription at any certified pharmacy. READ MORE.
Measles on the Rise
A measles outbreak in Columbus, Ohio, has caused 82 infections since its start last month, 32 of which have resulted in hospitalization. According to the city’s measles public report, most cases were reported in children aged 1 to 5, and 90 percent of cases were in unvaccinated patients. Health officials are encouraging parents to ensure that their children are up-to-date with vaccinations after many fell behind during the COVID-19 lockdowns. READ MORE.
IDR Process Overloaded by Disputes
A new federal government report found that payers and providers initiated over 90,000 disputes through the independent dispute resolution process (IDR), more than five times the amount that the government predicted would be filed. The government included that it was experiencing challenges determining the eligibility of the disputes, claiming that the process required significantly more review and handling than initially expected. READ MORE.
