Topic:

Legal / Regulatory / Risk Management

Latest Headlines

Latest Headlines

Payment for virtual appointments a matter of debate

More doctors offer "virtual visits" to patients, but many insurers don't cover those video calls as they would an office visit, according to a  STAT  report.

How states handle discipline of physicians varies widely

There's a great variation in the rate that state medical boards choose to hand out discipline to physicians, a new study has found.

Opening arguments in ACA contraception case hint at deadlock

If Wednesday's opening arguments are any indication, the Supreme Court case regarding the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive coverage mandate could split the justices evenly, affirming previous rulings that the government exemptions offered to religiously affiliated organizations are lawful, but leaving other courts without a national precedent.  

GAO urges security, privacy controls for Healthcare.gov

The federal government must create procedures to oversee security of state-based health insurance marketplaces and continously monitor security controls for Healthcare.gov, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in a recent report after finding "significant weaknesses" in technical controls.   

CMS rejected plan to put Maine CO-OP into receivership

Though insurance regulators in Maine sought to put the state's struggling community operated and oriented plan into receivership to curtail its mounting losses, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rejected that plan, the  Portland Press Herald  reports

FDA beefs up warning labels for prescription opioids

In response to the worsening opioid addiction crisis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a set of changes to labeling requirements for a range of prescription painkillers, with a particular focus on immediate-release formulations.

Express Scripts CEO wants to resolve dispute with Anthem

The incoming CEO for Express Scripts wants to resolve a longstanding drug pricing dispute with its largest client that has morphed into a lawsuit, a confrontation that underscores the growing negotiating power for large insurers and questions Express Scripts' independent business model.

Medical practices should adhere to social media guidelines

There are both benefits and risks when it comes to social media for physicians and medical practices.

FDA proposes ban on powdered gloves

The Food and Drug Administration announced a proposed ban on powdered medical gloves, arguing they pose a threat to patient and provider safety.

Other states may hold answer to New Jersey's Omnia dilemma

As the controversy continues over Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey's Omnia health plans, some say it's worth looking at other states to decide how to regulate tiered networks.