CMS publishes surprise billing state enforcement letters

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published a comprehensive list of state enforcement letters for the requirements under the No Surprises Act. These state letters, including letters to the District of Columbia and U.S. territories, outline CMS’ current understanding of which surprise billing requirements each state is enforcing and what requirements CMS will enforce.

The letters also outline whether the federal independent dispute resolution and patient-provider dispute resolution processes apply in each state, and under what circumstances. These state-specific letters will help providers determine what governing body oversees their surprise billing requirements. More information about surprise billing is available on the MGMA surprise billing landing page.

Biden administration renews national emergency

President Biden recently announced that the U.S. national emergency declared in March 2020 related to the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended beyond March 1, when it was set to expire. This emergency declaration is separate from the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), which was extended through April 16 by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Becerra. However, the extension of the president’s national emergency declaration is necessary for the HHS Secretary to temporarily waive certain Medicare and Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy requirements, such as the telehealth waivers currently in effect.

Join CMS March 9 for webinar on Open Payments

On Wednesday, March 9, from 1:00-1:30 p.m. (ET), CMS is hosting a webinar on the Open Payments program to provide an overview of the data review, dispute, and correction period, and to answer stakeholder questions. Covered recipients will have the opportunity to review data between April 1 and May 15, prior to the publication of 2021 Open Payments data by June 30, 2022.

The goal of the Open Payments program is to increase transparency and accountability. Additional information about Open Payments, including how to understand which providers qualify as covered recipients, is available on the CMS Open Payments website.