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HAWAII

– Aged, blind, or disabled Medicaid managed care program approval (D. Haw.), 94
– Grants, health IT infrastructure and electronic health records, CMS award, 1359
– High-risk pool temporary federal program, direct involvement declined, 689
– Retiree benefits, state constitutional shield (Haw.), 488

HCERA

See HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION RECONCILIATION ACT

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT (HHS)

– Appropriations, Department not seeking additional funding, 612
– Budget FY2011, proposed amendments by President Obama, 1272
– CMS

See CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS)

– Consumer Info. and Ins. Oversight Office established, 651; administration of early retiree reinsurance program, 689; Popper in charge of high-risk pool program, 845
– Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan Advisory Bd., establishment and members appointment, 962
– Facebook page, health care issues, 1436
– Medicare

– – Brochure sent to seniors, no violation of federal propaganda law, GAO legal opinion, 1356
– – Inspector Gen. Office, exclusionary authority

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 6130

– Natl. Cancer Inst.

See NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI)

– Natl. Coordinator for Health Info. Tech., BNA Interview, 1453
– NIH

See NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH)

– PPACA implementation, one-third of deadlines missed, CRS memo, 1470
– Reform implementation, “help desk” role, 512
– Regional directors appointed, 516
– Transparency, open government plan, 507
– Website

– – Consumer insurance options site, 700
– – Healthcare.gov, Sebelius details features at press briefing, 1038; hospitals quality of care data added, 1039; insurer denials and premiums data added, 1479
– – Medicaid Fraud Control Units section, 662

HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION RECONCILIATION ACT

– Accounting purposes, consideration with PPACA, SEC position, 559
– Cost of implementation could exceed initial CBO projections, BNA webinar, 941
– Key provisions chart, Special Report, 532
– Long-term care, CLASS program, BNA Insight, 945

HEALTH CARE COSTS

See COST OF HEALTH CARE

HEALTH CARE QUALITY

See QUALITY OF CARE

HEALTH CARE REFORM, FEDERAL

– Abortion, negotiations with pro-life Democrats, 419; executive order prohibiting use of federal funding, 422
– Accountable care organizations and anticipatory planning measures, Analysis and Perspective, 35
– Advertising campaign by business coalition, 341
– American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

See AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA)

– Antitrust enforcement implications, BNA Insight, 401
– Awareness and other lessons learned, conference, 133
– Bipartisan effort

– – First monthly bicameral meeting, 202
– – Machinations in push to finish overhaul, 163
– – White House summit, 201; reconciliation proposal, release prior to summit, 231; Democrats' expectations, 232; no accord reached, Democrats' strategy, 265; Obama willing to include GOP proposals, 304

– Budget

– – Effects uncertain despite passage, 467
– – FY2011 budget

– – – No additional funding sought by HHS, 612
– – – Provisions included in legislation omitted in HHS proposal, 172
– – – Reform passage assumed, 165

– – Reconciliation process

– – – Action expected before Easter recess, 303
– – – Cost estimate from CBO expected, 339; release, 371
– – – Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 4872

– – – Parliamentary challenges in Senate, 373
– – – Use by both parties, CRS report, 305
– – – White House plan based on HR 3590, 266

– Compliance deadlines for employers and plans, 508
– Concerns and recommendations, Business Roundtable report, 1798
– Direct primary care medical home membership in state-run health information exchanges, BNA Insight, 543
– Electronic health records

See ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS

– Employee benefits

See EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

– Enactment, optimism regarding passage in 2010, Finance Comm. hearing, 172
– Executive branch implementation

– – Collaboration with industry stakeholders, Viewpoint, 680
– – Regulations to be issued, CRS report, 611

– Health insurance

See HEALTH INSURANCE

– High-cost benefit plans, excise tax

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3590

– High-risk pools

See HIGH-RISK POOLS

– Hospital payment rate reductions, survival of large hospitals, 556
– House version of proposal

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3962

– Implementing legislation

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3590, HR 3962

– Individual mandate

See generally HEALTH INSURANCE

– Insurance industry

See INSURANCE INDUSTRY

– Key provisions chart of Senate and reconciliation bills, Analysis and Perspective, 449
– MA

See MEDICARE ADVANTAGE (MA)

– Market impact in life sciences industry, 560
– Medicaid

See generally MEDICAID; MEDICAID DRUG COVERAGE

– Medicare

See generally MEDICARE; MEDICARE DRUG COVERAGE

– Military health, TRICARE implications

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 4887

– Outlook 2010, 152
– Preemption

See PREEMPTION

– Pricing of services, transparency proposals

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2249, HR 4700, HR 4803

– Public confusion, Kaiser survey, 633
– Reconciliation bill

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 4872

– Repeal efforts, failure predicted, 608
– Role of government, employer uncertainty, survey, 62
– Senate version of proposal

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3590

– Small businesses

See SMALL BUSINESSES

– Spending increases, CMS analysis, 653
– Stakeholder deals, Energy and Commerce Comm., resolution, 132
– State implementation

See also specific states
– – Lessons from Mass. state reforms, 491
– – Reactions and budgetary concerns, Special Report, 540

– Tax issues

See TAXATION

– Uninsured persons

See generally UNINSURED PERSONS

– Webinars, May 19-June 17, BNA Legal and Business Edge, 737; May 25-June 17, 774; June 2-17, 807; June 9-July 13, 850; June 29-July 13, 971
– Workforce development, shortage of professionals, Center for Am. Progress report, 124

HEALTH CARE REFORM, STATE

See specific states

HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGES

See also ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS
– AMA/Dell platform for small physician practices, 324
– California

– – Federal funding request for statewide governance entity pending, 116; Cal eConnect oversight, further funding, 357
– – Reform model, continued refinement, 209

– E-prescriptions network, Surescripts expands, 1602
– eHealth Initiative 2010 annual survey, report available, 1133
– Employee benefits

– – Employer-sponsored group plans, employee ability to opt out, 557
– – Reform provisions of interest to employers, BNA Insight, 585

– Fla., FY2010-2011 budget proposal, 178
– Grants

See GRANTS

– Health IT spending, overall increase, HIMSS survey, 326
– HSAs, GOP reform proposal, 304
– Illinois

– – Bill passes, 705; governor signs, 1155
– – Implementation, task force of attorneys examines state law and regulations, 1765

– Ind. demonstration projects, quality improvement and pay-for-performance programs, 138
– Kan., public-private partnership creation re oversight, executive order signed, 1080
– Ky. Medicaid, statewide exchange development, 625
– Long term care facilities patient records, Minn. Health Information Exchange and Aging Servs. of Minn. pilot project, 1018
– Md. implementation, selection of core technology vendor, 574; program launches, 1526
– Medical home, direct primary care membership, BNA Insight, 543
– Mich., Trinity Health hospitals connected, 360
– Minn., long-term funding concerns, webinar, 1255
– Miss. Coastal Health Info. Exch., deployment expansion, 522
– N.M. first state to meet planning and operational funding criteria, 809
– N.Y., Buffalo consortium get $10M development grant, 1843
– Panel comments on reduced costs and improved care, 146
– Physicians, survey, 33
– Privacy

– – Concerns not addressed by HIPAA, 205
– – Fair Information Practices, GAO report, 256
– – Interoperability of state programs, 286
– – N.H. laws surpass HIPAA, 55
– – Patient consent models, report, 435
– – “Trust framework” draft proposal, 561

– Regional health information organizations study, narrow data set and broad participation recommended, 30
– State and local government

– – Benefits and challenges, 205
– – Budget crises and leadership changes frustrate development, 135
– – Expansion efforts, chief information officers' report, 1200
– – Medicaid, adoption timing and funding concerns, 320

– Tenn., exclusion of abortion services, 703
– Tenth Amendment challenges, merit of, 421
– Tex. e-Health Alliance launch, 288
– Wis., nonprofit organization selected to govern, 1598

HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR ECONOMIC AND CLINICAL HEALTH (HITECH) ACT

– Coordination of health IT, proposed interagency task force, 313
– Electronic health records

See generally ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS

– Fair Information Practices, providers and health information exchanges, GAO report, 256
– HIPAA

– – Business associates of covered entities, compliance, BNA webinar, 1217
– – Data breach notification requirement

– – – HHS report, 176
– – – Regulatory update, 474; business associates compliance requirements, proposed rule, 561
– – – Unsecured protected information, final rule withdrawn from OMB review, 1151
– – – Webinar, business associates, BNA Legal & Business Edge, 1154

– – Penalty provisions ambiguities, comments on HHS interim final rule, 137
– – Privacy and security provisions, proposed rule issued, enforcement provisions changes included, 1032; expected date of final rule, 1474

– Stimulus funds, allocation of, CRS report, 436

HEALTH INSURANCE

– Accounting presentation of claims, standards proposals, 632
– Annual limits on benefits, waiver guidance, 1299; Obama not troubled by waivers, 1508
– Antitrust exemption

– – Implementing legislation

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3596, HR 3962, S 1681, S 3217

– – McCarran-Ferguson Act

– – – Actuaries' opinions on proposed changes, 136
– – – Perriello-Markey proposal for repeal, 203; further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 4626
– – – Proposed changes, CRS report, 122

– BCBS

See BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD PLANS (BCBS)

– Children's health care

See CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE

– CHIP

See CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP)

– Claims

See CLAIMS PROCESSING

– COBRA

See COBRA (HEALTH CARE COVERAGE CONTINUATION)

– Commercial plans, spending, geographic correlation with Medicare, 255
– Consumer-directed plans

See CONSUMER-DIRECTED PLANS

– Consumer protection

– – Content-sharing agreement, evaluation of plans quality and performance, 1159
– – Fla., solicitation by unauthorized vendors, 323
– – HHS Consumer Info. and Ins. Oversight Office

– – – Establishment, 651; administration of early retiree reinsurance program, 689
– – – Website for insurance options, 700

– – Me. prohibition on annual or lifetime caps on benefits, 517
– – Pricing of services, proposals

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2249, HR 4700, HR 4803

– Copayments

See COPAYMENTS AND DEDUCTIBLES

– Coverage coordination disclosure, model form, 477
– Cross-state sales of policies under PPACA, paper, 1226
– Dependent coverage

See generally DEPENDENTS

– Discount cards and programs

See generally DISCOUNTS

– Employee benefits

See EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

– Exchanges

See HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES

– Fraud

– – Increase in cases in 2009, coalition survey, 217
– – Mo., enforcement actions against companies offering bogus plans, 212; cease and desist orders target 14 companies and individuals, 1398
– – State enforcement urged against scams based on reform, 512
– – Tenn. suit to shut down unauthorized insurers (Tenn. Ch.), 488

– Grandfathered group health plans under PPACA

– – American Law Inst.-ABA webcast speakers, 1072
– – Benefits of maintaining status, how to lose status, and how to keep status, BNA Insight, 1089
– – CRS report, 903
– – Guidance, Treasury and IRS officials discuss, Special Report, 1612
– – Interim final rules issued, 915; attorneys discuss during BNA webinar, 1003; comments, 1242; IRS seeks public comments, 1301; comments receipt, 1347; lose status for one option, retain for others, 1517; FAQs, fourth set posted on EBSA website, 1631; amendment and comments request, 1707
– – Large employers' 2011 health plan design changes, survey report, 1259
– – Variance in state laws complicate employer decisions, report, 1814

– Healthcare.gov, Sebelius details features of new HHS website at press briefing, 1038
– High-risk pools

See HIGH-RISK POOLS

– Individual mandate, PPACA

– – Ariz., midterm elections ballot measure challenges, 1285; voters approve measure, 1639
– – Berwick optimistic about outcome of litigation, 1831
– – Challenges, forum speakers discuss, 1550
– – Children of Vietnam and Korean War veterans

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 5014

– – Christian legal organization lacks standing to challenge (S.D. Cal.), 1309; (U.S., rev den), 1663
– – Colo., proposed constitutional amendment to block, ballot question certified, 1316; voters defeat measure, 1639
– – Constitutional analysis, CRS report, 749; commerce clause, 1606
– – Fines may be too low, payment may be cheaper than buying coverage, webinar speaker says, 765
– – Fla., proposed constitutional amendment to block, ballot question removed (Fla. Cir. Ct.), 1187; affirmed (Fla.), 1315
– – Idaho prohibition bill signed, 385
– – Mo., lawmakers pass bill allowing voters to weigh in on issue, 778; primary voters approve initiative to block, 1186
– – Ohio, U.S. Citizens Ass'n challenge, motion to dismiss denied (N.D. Ohio), 1761
– – Okla., midterm elections ballot measure challenges, voters approve, 1639
– – Penalty payments, CBO analysis, 605
– – Preliminary injunction to block, DOJ response to motion, status conference set (E.D. Mich.), 730; injunction denied, 1515; rev sought (6th Cir.), 1829
– – Va. prohibition bill, state Senate passage, 179; bill expected to be signed, 353; signed, 429; state attorney general challenges federal mandate (E.D. Va.), 482; PPACA implementation planned if challenge fails, 777; state lacks standing to challenge, DOJ says, 812; attorney general response to DOJ motion, 891; motion to dismiss denied, 1179; ruling as unconstitutional, 1827; individual mandate unconstitutional, BNA Insight, 1853

– Individual market, coverage denials, Stupak and Waxman memos, 1509
– Long-term care

See LONG-TERM CARE

– Mandated benefits

See MANDATED BENEFITS

– Market exit by insurers, NAIC working group concerns, 837
– Market trends

See MARKET TRENDS

– Medically necessary services, denial of care by Del. insurers, 614
– Mental health parity regulations

See MENTAL HEALTH

– Minimum coverage requirement, PPACA, constitutionality under commerce clause (W.D. Va.), 1743
– Out-of-network reimbursement

See OUT-OF-NETWORK CARE

– Out-of-pocket expenses

See OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES

– Policy options for coverage expansion

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3590, HR 3962

– Preexisting conditions

See PREEXISTING CONDITIONS

– Purchasing alliances licensing and oversight standards, N.H. law, 1123
– Rates

See PREMIUMS AND RATES

– Report card for insurers, AMA releases, 938
– Rescission of individual policies

– – Del., post-claims underwriting, new law bans, 1318
– – External review, Cal. Assembly passes bill, 853; governor signs bill, 1523
– – Insurers end policy ahead of reform schedule, 651
– – Prevention, PPACA provisions, interim final rule, 957; comments, 1305
– – Restrictions, new Cal. Ins. Dep't rules, 1191

– Small businesses

See SMALL BUSINESSES

– State issues

See specific states

– Taxation

See generally TAXATION

– Uninsured persons

See UNINSURED PERSONS

– Wellness programs

See PREVENTIVE CARE

HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES

– Advantages over nonexchange plans, CRS report, 904
– Adverse selection must be addressed, conference told, 1472
– Average annual costs differences for employee health plans among states, implications, 1607
– California

– – Creation, bill sent to governor, 1314; governor signs, 1482
– – White paper, 931

– Compatibility with Medicaid, MACPAC meeting speaker, 1424
– Design and operation issues focus of states and insurers, Special Report, 984
– Employers may shift employees' coverage, analysts say, 1424
– Essential benefits determination, Inst. of Medicine study, 1728
– Functions under PPACA, BNA Insight, 1164
– Grants available to states, 1157; supplemental funding opportunity, 1804
– Health care reform proposals

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3590, HR 3962

– Healthy uninsured need to enroll to keep costs down, report, 1846
– Illinois

– – AHIP forum, state insurance commissioner speaks, 1706
– – Reluctance to embrace broker commissions, webinar speaker, 1842

– Implementation

– – ABA Health Law Section, healthcare summit speakers, 1793
– – Authorization, states must act quickly in 2011, NAIC official says, 1677
– – Challenges, report, 1450
– – Guidance to states, HHS issues, 1741
– – NAIC working group, chairman speaks at conference, 1665
– – States' work continues despite political rhetoric and legal battles over PPACA, briefing speakers, 1586

– Information technology systems

– – Federal matching funds increase, CMS proposed rule and guidance to states, 1627
– – Grants, state “early innovator” program, 1627

– Iowa, recommendation to move forward with development, 1840
– Key policy issues, report, 1085
– Lower-income persons, transition to Medicaid, conference speaker, 1358
– Minn., health care groups comments and suggestions to HHS, 1524
– Model law for governing, NAIC committee approves, 1744
– Public health insurance option creation

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 5808

– Rules and standards developments, call for comments, 1157; comments receipt, 1473
– States' responsibilities, report, 939
– Testing new ideas, states' role, HHS official comments, 1716
– Utah program to begin Jan. 2011, 1438; flexibility needed, 1525
– Wyo., task force to study feasibility of creation, 1524

HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA)

– ARRA changes, issue brief, 400
– Business associates of covered entities, compliance, BNA webinar, 1217
– Data breaches

– – Cal., notifications, specific information inclusion, bill approved, 1251
– – Conn., electronic health records (D. Conn.), 95
– – Notice, HITECH Act requirement

– – – HHS report, 176
– – – Regulatory update, 474
– – – Unsecured protected information, final rule withdrawn from OMB review, 1151

– Final rules, timetable for release in 2011, 1835
– N.H., privacy protection greater, 55
– Penalty provisions ambiguities, comments on HHS interim final rule, 137
– Privacy and security provisions, proposed rule forthcoming, 205; business associates compliance requirements, 561; proposed rule issued, enforcement provisions changes included, 1032; expected date of final rule, 1474
– Rite Aid privacy violations, agrees to pay $1M to settle allegations, 1153

HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS (HMOs)

– BCBS of Michigan/Sparrow Health merger, antitrust investigation, 355
– Cal., complaints rising while enrollment declining, report, 1401
– Cardiac care service, EHR use by insurer and effects on cost and patient outcomes, study, 1650
– Collective bargaining agreement, Kaiser Permanente, contract details, 1604
– Employer benefit offerings in 2010, Mercer survey, 1726
– Ga., BCBSGA any willing provider law violation, 573
– La. law favoring in-state plans invalid (5th Cir.), 629
– MA plans, out-of-pocket cost sharing thresholds, 614
– Minn., profitability in 2008, market analysis report, 742; health market review 2010, 895
– New York

– – Aetna, small business affordability program violations fine, 211
– – MA sales agent licensing and prompt payment violations, 673
– – Premium increases, prior state approval urged, 393

HEALTH PROMOTION

See PREVENTIVE CARE

HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENTS (HRAs)

– Consumer-directed plans and PPOs, enrollees spending and use, report, 1260
– Enrollment increases, benefits benchmarking survey, 675
– OTC medicines and drugs, new reimbursement rules, 771
– Savings for employers, Aetna survey, 527
– Switch from health insurance plan, 3M notifies retirees, 1569
– Tax rule changes under PPACA, CRS report, 982

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAs)

– Annual limits in 2011 unchanged, IRS says, 807
– Cash balances rising, report, 858
– Contributions and withdrawals in 2009, AHIP study, 1813
– Enrollment

– – Increases, benefits benchmarking survey, 675
– – Rise continues but growth rate slowing, AHIP report, 785

– Minn., enrollment increases, report, 670
– OTC medicines and drugs, new reimbursement rules, 771; debit cards, comment letter, 1631
– PPACA impact

– – Overview for 2010, CRS report, 1367
– – Tax rule changes, CRS report, 982

– Savings for employers, Aetna survey, 527
– Taxing employee contributions, Wis. governor-elect wants to end practice, 1811
– Value insufficient for premiums and out-of-pocket costs in retirement, EBRI report, 528

HEARING AIDS

– Children up to age 21, insurers coverage requirement, new N.C. law, 889
– Disabled persons auxiliary aids and services, Univ. of Utah Hosps. and Clinics provision, 176
– N.H., insurers coverage requirement, new law, 1156

HEART DISEASES AND DISORDERS

See CARDIOLOGY

HEMODIALYSIS

See END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD)

HHS

See HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT (HHS)

HIGH-RISK POOLS

– National protection, Kaiser reports, 148
– N.Y., NYC preventive care and electronic records outreach program, 214
– Ohio, applications information, 1155; insurers asked to direct applicants denied coverage to state program, 1395
– State run programs

– – CRS report, 905
– – Emergency funding for operational grants program, Senate approval urged, 1297
– – Tenn., enrollment in AccessTN closed, 1485; reopened, 1807

– Temporary federal program creation

– – Cal. program creation, new laws, 1011; Kaiser Permanente and Anthem Blue Cross non-participation, 1191; Preexisting Condition Insurance Plan, lackluster pre-enrollment, 1596
– – Conn. proceeds after premiums reduced, 1122
– – Cost estimates and impact of eliminating caps, CBO letter, 960
– – Funding lacking, policy brief, 1223
– – Funding likely inadequate, conference speakers say, 878
– – Ill., enrollment begins, 1281
– – Md. launches program, 1314
– – Mich., Physicians Health Plan of Mid-Mich. to administer, 1282
– – Pa., application approved, 1045
– – Policy options for design, study findings, 821
– – Popper in charge of program, 845
– – Preexisting Condition Insurance Plan, applications acceptance begins, 998; interim final rule with comment period, 1145; newborns of enrolled mothers coverage, 1510; equity dilemma of states, study, 1529; lower-cost options added, 1661
– – S.D., applications acceptance begins, 1046
– – States declaration of interest sought, 505; Ga., Neb., and Wyo. decline direct involvement, 663; 29 other states and D.C. to operate their own, 689
– – Tenn., direct involvement declined, 689
– – Wis. starts program, 1122

HIPAA

See HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA)

HITECH ACT

See HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR ECONOMIC AND CLINICAL HEALTH (HITECH) ACT

HIV

See AIDS AND HIV

HMOs

See HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS (HMOs)

HOME HEALTH CARE

– Cal., home health care cuts enjoined (9th Cir.), 319
– Colo., in-home support services program continuation, review committee recommendation, 1601
– CON

See CERTIFICATE OF NEED (CON)

– FY2011, payment update and antifraud, MedPAC recommendations, 112
– Infusion therapy, report on Medicare and private insurers' coverage differences, 942
– Joint venture, GE Healthcare and Intel announcement, 1196
– Medicaid fraud, Fla. recovered claims, 672
– Medical devices, FDA safety initiative, 618
– Medically unnecessary visits and higher Medicare reimbursement rates, concerns voiced, 732
– Medicare demonstration projects

– – Home Health Pay for Performance, CMS incentive payments for providers, 694
– – Independence at Home, implementation within 6 months sought, 1004

– Medicare payment rates reduction to agencies in 2011, CMS proposed rule, 1114; final rule, 1630
– Monitoring of chronically ill, Mayo Clinic partnership with Intel and GE Healthcare, 290
– Tennessee

– – Certificate of need draft standards, comments sought, 1527
– – TennCare, long-term care options, CHOICES program expansion, 1193

– Workforce training and expansion, grant awards, 1435

HOSPICE CARE

– Average length of stays has doubled in past 10 years, study says Medicare payment system may play role, 1084
– Curative cure, terminally ill children, CMS guidance to states, 1319
– Fla., quality outcome measures insufficient, report, 144
– Long-term care facilities, care coordination improvement, CMS proposed rule, 1552
– Medicare payment rates FY2011, CMS notice, 1113
– Wash. Medicaid, service cuts due to budget constraints, 1757

HOSPITALS

– ACO collaboratives, alliance announces launch, 784
– Admissions for drug-related and medication conditions, report, 1608
– Adverse events

See ADVERSE EVENTS

– Antitrust, health care reform and market competition, BNA Insight, 401
– California

– – Medi-Cal reimbursement rates

– – – Inpatient services, governor seeks freeze, 1043
– – – Limits and rate freezes application, prevention order (Cal., rev den), 1756
– – – Medicaid financing waiver, 60-day extension sought, 1279; bill sent to governor, 1522; signed, 1559
– – – State may not cut due to budget issues (9th Cir.), 853

– – Medication and other errors, fines announced, 144; April 13 announcement, 577; Nov. 11 announcement, 1717
– – Privacy violations, breach of patients records, 5 facilities fined, 896
– – Private insurer payment rates, negotiating power underlying premiums, HSC study, 291
– – Provider fees, additional federal funds sought, 664
– – Quality assurance fee collection begins, triggers more federal Medicaid matching funds, 1437
– – Radiation overdoses, reporting requirements, new law, 1438
– – Stop-loss claims, Anthem Blue Cross settlement agreement, 1721

– Central line bloodstream infections in acute care facilities, CDC report, 857
– Charity care

See CHARITY CARE

– Clinical decision support systems, cost and quality of care benefits, online conference, 1257
– Closure of Braddock Hosp., settlement agreement, Univ. of Pittsburgh Medical Center to boost services, 1324
– Coding

See generally CODING

– Colo. provider fee, CMS approval, 517
– Community centers affiliations and specialist care for uninsured persons, report, 857
– Computerized provider order entry drug warning system, preventing potentially inappropriate medication use in older patients, study, 1224
– Conn., Anthem BCBS antitrust investigation, reimbursement rate policy, 24; clarification of policy, 183; request for federal involvement, 351
– Corporate practice of medicine, pilot program easing ban, doctors and hospitals differ over legislation, 1044
– Cost and quality of care, Fla. hospital and surgeon groups initiative, 816
– Data breaches, radiology archives accessed by former employee, 490
– Disabled persons auxiliary aids and services, Univ. of Utah Hosps. and Clinics provision, 176
– DSHs

See DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE HOSPITALS (DSHs)

– E-prescribing of controlled substances, DEA interim final rule, 427
– Electronic health records

– – Adoption, balanced approach urged, 677
– – Health IT survey conformity, 119
– – Implementation guide, 1163
– – Meaningful use, incentive program

– – – Calculation of payments

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 6072, S 3708

– – – Core measures compliance, survey findings, 1728
– – – Exclusion of hospital-based physicians, Senate bill seeks to clarify, 234; reiteration of physician eligibility rule, 274; House request for new definitions, 275; Senate clarification, 342; hospital groups urge revision, 382; Senate committee chairmen urge revision, 474; hospital leaders' criticism, 655
– – – 4 insurers unveil plans, 1195
– – – Interoperability standards gaps, House committee testimony, 1427
– – – Study finds few facilities meet federal criteria, 1288

– – Savings from adoption below expectations, study, 711
– – Strategies for achieving full system integration, Stanford officials share details, 817
– – Technical support assistance for critical access and rural facilities, regional extension centers grant awards, 1353

– Emergency preparedness program grants, funds allocation, 1040
– Emergency room care

See EMERGENCY SERVICES

– Graduate medical education recommendations in MedPAC report, concerns raised, 963
– Grants, regional extension centers and critical access awards, 514
– Health care reform

– – Industry support for bill, 371
– – Payment rate reductions, survival of large hospitals, 556

– Heart failure Medicare patients, study on length of stay and short-term outcomes, 907
– Hip and knee replacements, Fla. announces physician data online availability, 1843
– ICD-10 coding system

See generally CODING

– Infections acquired during medical procedures, Or. Health Authority releases first report, 814
– Long-term care

See LONG-TERM CARE

– Low-income persons, federal health care delivery incentives

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3590, HR 3962

– Malpractice claims, insurer survey, 1688
– Md. financial assistance policies, 566
– Medical errors

See MEDICAL ERRORS

– Medicare/Medicaid reductions

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3590, HR 3962

– Medicare payments

– – Drug reimbursements under Part B, outpatient prospective payment system, report, 1610
– – Inpatient Prospective Payment System

– – – Cuts, CMS proposed rule, 615; supplemental proposed rule, 805; model comment letter, 849; hospital groups oppose, 966; House members letter, 1066; studies show flawed methodology, 1116; final rule issued, 1183
– – – Psychiatric facilities, 2001 rate year increase, 660

– – Outpatient billing during 3-day payment window, CMS guidance, 1006; clarification from CMS, 1352
– – Outpatient Prospective Payment System, 2011 payments, CMS proposed rule, 1036; call seeks comments on key provisions, 1067; comments, 1306; physician supervision policy for therapeutic services, change urged, 1392; final rule with comment period, 1629
– – Underpayments rose in 2009, AHA reports, 1814
– – Update and overpayment recovery, MedPAC recommendations, 112
– – Wage index definition, MedPAC method, report, 436

– Mergers

See MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

– Michigan

– – Health information exchanges, Trinity Health, 360
– – Readmissions reduction plan, collaboration with BCBS, 146; Project BOOST touted, 898

– Midwives, written practice agreements, N.Y. law eliminates, 1189
– Minnesota

– – Gen. Assistance Med. Care program participation, 624
– – Profitability in 2008, market analysis report, 742; health market review 2010, 895

– Most favored nation clauses, BCBS of Mich. contracts, antitrust violation (E.D. Mich.), 1560
– Nebraska

– – Licensing, temporary moratorium, 568
– – Rural fiber optic medical network, 705

– N.J., revenues tax provisions revised to obtain more Medicaid matching funds, bill signed, 1075
– New York

– – Empire BCBS contract expiration, 490
– – Medicaid overpayment, claims processing errors, 707

– Nonprofits

See NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

– Nurses

See NURSES AND NURSING

– One-time payment to reduce small businesses and individuals insurance costs, Mass. Senate passes bill, 780
– Outpatient observational care and inpatient care classification, CMS listening session, 1274
– Patient “hand-offs” improvement strategies, development continues, 1567
– Patient safety organizations, facilities participation under PPACA provisions, webinar speakers, 1749
– Payment rates, wide variation evidence of market power, study, 1725
– Pa., Medicaid inpatient services payment system redesign, federal approval needed for new law, 1074
– Physician-owned Medicare facilities, PPACA restrictions constitutionality (E.D. Tex.), 848
– Price collusion alleged, Minn. provider group settlement, proposed consent order (FTC), 977
– Purchasing groups, medical supplies, cost savings debate continues, 1490
– Quality of care

See QUALITY OF CARE

– Readmissions reduction

– – Avoidable readmissions, HRET guide, 151
– – Collaborative approach, Cal. providers initiative, 1444
– – Community care based transitions program, CMS public meeting, 1635
– – Innovations, AHIP publication, 906
– – MA plans

– – – AHIP study, 906
– – – Care coordination touted, Capitol Hill briefing, 1153

– – PPACA, summit speakers say effective policy incomplete, 884; CRS report, 1404

– Reporting requirements

See REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

– Retroactive application of state law limiting liability unconstitutional, injury occurred prior to enactment (Tenn.), 1017
– Rural care

See RURAL HEALTH CARE

– Security of patient data, study, 1687
– Specialty-care physicians earnings, hospital-owned medical groups, report, 1611
– Tax issues

See TAXATION

– Teaching hospitals

See TEACHING HOSPITALS

– Telemedicine

– – Providers, credentialing rules streamlining, CMS proposed rule, 806
– – Standards, Joint Comm'n gets CMS extension, 899

– Transparency

– – Health IT contracts investigation, 134
– – Pricing of services, proposals

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2249, HR 4700, HR 4803

– Uninsured patients

See UNINSURED PERSONS

– Urban and rural facilities comparison, report, 149
– Value-based purchasing program, stakeholders offer comments during forum, 1632; hospital groups recommendations, letter to CMS, 1751
– Verbal medical orders, authentication requirements, new Colo. law, 740
– Visitation rules for same-sex partners, presidential memorandum, 561; proposed rule, CMS releases, 965; CMS final rule, 1704
– Washington

– – Medicaid, hospital assessment bill, state House passage, 387; state Senate passage, 565; signed, 664
– – Outpatient services, ambulatory care use, report, 1527

– Wis., tax on rural critical access centers, increased Medicaid matching, 621

HOURS OF WORK

– Resident physicians, shorter work shift campaign, 185; stricter rules supported, report, 859; ACGME proposed work standards, 977; consumer and health advocacy groups petition OSHA, 1312

HRAs

See HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENTS (HRAs)

HSAs

See HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAs)

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