1. CMS releases OPPS proposed rule for 2018: 9 things to know
CMS released its 2018 Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule, which would cut payments to hospitals under the 340B Drug Pricing Program and authorize Medicare to reimburse for knee replacement surgeries performed in outpatient facilities.
2. 5 proposed changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule in 2018
CMS issued its update to the 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule July 13, which includes a proposal to cut Medicare payments by half for services provided by certain provider-owned, off-campus hospital departments.
3. DOJ charges 412 in $1.3B healthcare fraud sweep
The Department of Justice has charged 412 defendants, including 115 physicians, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, in a nationwide healthcare fraud sweep.
4. Mayo Clinic launches nationwide Epic EHR implementation at 1st Wisconsin sites
La Crosse, Wis.-based Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare is the first of Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic Health System’s locations to implement the Verona, Wis.-based Epic EHR, reports La Crosse Tribune.
5. Former hospital executive admits stealing $391k from medical association
A former executive at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing $391,600 from an association of medical professionals, according to the Department of Justice.
6. Medicare extends solvency to 2029, avoids cuts
Medicare’s hospital insurance trust fund will not be exhausted until 2029, allowing the program to avoid cuts from an Independent Payment Advisory Board, according the Medicare Trustees annual report.
7. Cook County to lay off 1,100 workers, including hospital employees
Cook County will sent out more than 1,100 layoff notices after an Illinois appeals court refused to overturn a temporary restraining order blocking the county from implementing a sweetened beverage tax, which is intended to generate funds for the public health system.
8. Mallinckrodt settles with DOJ for $35M in opioid probe: 4 things to know
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals on July 11 reached a $35 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve allegations the drugmaker failed to identify and report suspicious drug orders for the highly addictive opioid oxycodone.
9. Tufts nurses strike, marking Boston’s 1st RN strike in 30 years
Approximately 1,200 nurses at Boston-based Tufts Medical Center went on strike at 7 a.m. July 12, signaling the beginning of a planned 24-hour walkout, reports WBUR.
10. US uninsured rate climbs to 11.7%
The country’s uninsured rate rose to 11.7 percent after reaching a record low of 10.9 percent in late 2016, according to a Gallup poll.
11. Cerner CEO Neal Patterson, 67, dies from cancer complications
Cerner Chairman and CEO Neal Patterson died July 9 after an ongoing battle with soft tissue cancer.
