HHS Supports Community-Based Organizations, Changes to Title X; CMS Delays Reimbursement Cuts

April 21, 2021 - HHS announced funding to support community-based organizations in their battle against COVID-19 and proposed changes to Title X to promote more equitable care delivery. Meanwhile, CMS delays reimbursement cuts through the end of the year and the FDA issues guidance on remote interactive evaluations.

Medicare Fee-for-Service Cut Delayed Through 2021

The proposed Medicare reimbursement cut is delayed to the end of 2021, CMS announced. The policy intended to cut reimbursement on Medicare fee-for-service claims by two percent but is stalled because of the pandemic. The sequestration, signed into law by President Biden on April 15, also included technical corrections related to rural health clinics and disproportionate share hospitals. The agency advised contractors to release any claims held for the pending decision and reprocess any claims paid with the reduction. READ MORE

FDA Releases Guidance on Remote Interactive Evaluations

FDA recently released guidelines on remote interactive evaluations to promote quicker and safer assessments of facilities where COVID-19 drugs are manufactured, processed, packaged, and held during the pandemic. The FDA can request to conduct remote interactive evaluation. Included in the inspections are pre-approval inspections, pre-license inspections, post-approval inspections, surveillance inspections, follow-up and compliance inspections, and bioresearch monitoring inspections. READ MORE

ONC Leader Promotes Culture of Patient Empowerment

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT’s (ONC’s) information blocking rule for aspects of the 21st Century Cures Act went into effect earlier this month after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Micky Tripathi, PhD, MPP, national coordinator for health information technology at HHS, says the rules can begin the first steps of a culture change that puts patients at the center of care. The ONC information blocking rule aims to improve patient data access to promote patient empowerment and engagement. Currently, ONC is focusing on compliance with the new technical aspects of the rule but in between the technicalities lie a path toward more patient-centered care. READ MORE

HHS Proposed Changes to Title X Family Planning

On April 14, HHS proposed changes to the Title X Family Planning program. The program emphasized comprehensive family planning and preventive health services including breast and cervical cancer screenings, STI and HIV testing, infertility services, and care for adolescents, particularly low-income individuals. Revisions to the law in 2019 modified standards for compliance and reduced the number of organizations that receive funding. The proposed rule aims undo those restrictions and strengthen the program to ensure equitable, affordable, patient-centered quality care. HHS is accepting comments on the rule for 30 days. READ MORE

Increased Funding for Community-Based Organizations Tackling COVID-19

Under the American Rescue plan, HHS announced approximately $150 million in funding to community-based healthcare providers to combat COVID-19 in their communities. Funding includes advancing access to COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and treatment. The funds will support about 100 community-based healthcare providers that provide essential primary care services to underserved communities and vulnerable populations. READ MORE