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The Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection project, as part of compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The project involves the annual OMHA Appellant Climate Survey, which measures satisfaction of those who have participated in Medicare hearings. The survey seeks input on the necessity, accuracy, and efficiency of the information collected. Public comments are invited by April 23, 2021, and contributors are encouraged to focus on ways to improve the process and reduce the burden of information collection.

In the Federal Register notice titled "Ibrahim Al-Qawaqneh, D.D.S.; Decision and Order," the DEA sought to revoke Dr. Ibrahim Al-Qawaqneh's registration due to his exclusion from federal health care programs after pleading nolo contendere to a charge of offering unlawful Medi-Cal remuneration. Despite being given a chance to defend himself, the DEA found that Dr. Al-Qawaqneh failed to take full responsibility for his actions, which led to doubts about his trustworthiness. Consequently, his DEA Certificate of Registration was revoked to ensure compliance with laws regulating controlled substances.

The final rule from the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services allows Veterans Affairs (VA) practitioners to prescribe controlled substances to VA patients via telemedicine without needing an in-person medical evaluation by the prescribing practitioner. This is permissible if another VA practitioner has conducted an in-person evaluation. This change provides greater access to care for veterans, especially those in rural or underserved areas, while still implementing safeguards against the misuse of controlled substances. The rule includes requirements for reviewing the patient's electronic health record and state prescription drug monitoring program data before prescribing.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is announcing a new matching program in collaboration with the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). This program will allow the SSA to use quarterly wage and unemployment insurance information from the National Directory of New Hires to help determine if individuals qualify for Extra Help, a benefit for low-income individuals under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act. The agreement ensures that SSA can determine eligibility, reassess current beneficiaries' eligibility, and manage the Extra Help program effectively. The public has until May 12, 2025, to submit comments on this proposed program, which will start on May 27, 2025, and will remain in effect for 18 months.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a list of information collection packages needing approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This includes revisions and extensions of existing collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. SSA seeks public input on the necessity, accuracy, and burden of these collections, and suggestions for improvements. The notice covers several forms and procedures related to Social Security benefits, overpayment waivers, appeals, and state reporting requirements. Public comments are encouraged and must be submitted by specific deadlines to ensure consideration.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued an Order to Show Cause against Dr. Moustafa M. Aboshady, proposing the denial of his application for a DEA registration due to his mandatory exclusion from federal health care programs. He was convicted of making false statements related to health care benefits, leading to a 15-year exclusion starting in 2019. Dr. Aboshady was found in default after failing to file essential responses, and the DEA concluded he can't be trusted with the responsibilities of a registration. Therefore, his application for a DEA Certificate of Registration has been denied.

The Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced a request for public comments on a new information collection plan as per the Paperwork Reduction Act. This collection aims to allow non-registrants to access the CSA Database System to verify DEA registrant status, essential for commerce activities involving controlled substances. The plan targets businesses, not-for-profit institutions, and government entities, with an estimated annual public burden of 250 hours. Public feedback is sought to ensure the necessity, accuracy, clarity, and reduced burden of the information gathering process.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have finalized a rule expanding the ability for practitioners to prescribe certain controlled substances for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment through telemedicine, including audio-only calls. Under these new rules, practitioners can prescribe a six-month supply of these medications after reviewing the patient's prescription drug monitoring program data, with the possibility of extending prescriptions through telemedicine or after a face-to-face evaluation. Additional safeguards include identity verification by pharmacists before filling prescriptions to prevent misuse. The rule aims to continue the telemedicine flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic while addressing the opioid crisis and concerns about substance misuse.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized a rule that changes Regulation V of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to protect medical information in credit decisions. Previously, there was an exception allowing creditors to use medical debt information when deciding if someone qualifies for credit. With this new rule, creditors cannot use this information unless specific exceptions apply, and consumer reporting agencies are limited in what medical debt information they can share with creditors. This change aims to safeguard consumers' privacy and ensure medical information isn't wrongly used. The rule will become effective on March 17, 2024.

The Executive Order 13997, titled "Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19," aims to enhance healthcare systems and accelerate the development of COVID-19 therapies. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other partners to support research, especially in underserved areas, to study the long-term impacts of COVID-19. The order also seeks to increase the capacity of healthcare facilities and improve access to affordable healthcare by addressing barriers and promoting insurance coverage for treatments. Additionally, it underscores the need for equitable distribution of COVID-19 treatments while ensuring the order does not conflict with existing laws or create enforceable rights.