Payers Cover Coronavirus Tests, Physicians Oppose Surprise Billing Act
CMS announces payers will now cover the cost of coronavirus tests after a Biden Administration ruling, prominent physician groups band together to oppose surprise billing regulations, and the NIH sponsors AI research for HIV treatment.
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By - This week, CMS announced a new rule requiring commercial insurance groups to cover the cost of coronavirus tests for their members. Insured Americans will now qualify for eight free tests per month.
On the technology side, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) published new guidance for healthcare interoperability. Codes included in the ONC’s guidance will set standards for sharing public health information between healthcare organizations.
And in research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are funding research that will use artificial intelligence to improve patient outcomes for those diagnosed with HIV.
Meanwhile, prominent US physician groups are bringing a legal challenge to the Surprise Billing Act. And, a report published recently found that states hardest hit by the pandemic also had laws limiting telehealth.
ONC Specifies Public Health for Interoperability
The ONC released new guidance for ePrescribing and public health in their eighth update of the Interoperability Standards Advisory (ISA). New standards are expected to improve interoperability between laboratories, provider EHRs, pharmacies, and other stakeholders. Additional guidance supports the use of social determinants of health by adding codes for gender identity and mental health conditions. READ MORE.
States Hit by Coronavirus had Limited Telehealth
A report from the Pioneer Institute of Public Policy Research and others found that states hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic also had restrictive telehealth laws. Laws differed between each state, but most contained some ban on practicing telehealth as a part of an interstate organization. Groups like Johns Hopkins, athenahealth, and the American Hospital Association are pushing back against telehealth restrictions with a new campaign launched in December. READ MORE.
NIH Grant Explores AI for HIV Treatment
An NIH grant is supporting Brown University’s machine learning program that endeavors to improve outcomes for patients with HIV. Researchers at Brown University and Moi University in Kenya will use the $4.6 million in grant money to create tools that enhance HIV treatments and increase patient commitment to programs. READ MORE.
Physician Groups File Surprise Billing Lawsuit
The American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, Physicians Advocacy Institute, and several other physician associations have joined together to block surprise billing legislation. Specifically, the groups claim the independent resolution process included in the 2020 No Surprises Act will further consolidate healthcare and lead to higher costs for out-of-network services.
Dustin Corcoran, president of the Physicians Advocacy Institute, issued a statement explaining the coalition’s position: “Physicians have an obligation to reinforce for the court just how far federal regulators walked away from the No Surprises Act’s balanced approach to resolving payment disputes and explain how bypassing the law will unfairly empower insurers at the expense of patients and their physicians.” READ MORE.
CMS Makes Payers Cover Coronavirus Test Costs
Commercial insurance companies will cover the cost of coronavirus tests according to a new CMS announcement. This decision comes at a time when the US is experiencing a massive surge in cases. “By requiring private health plans to cover people’s at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans’ ability to get tests for free when they need them,” explained HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. READ MORE.
