CMS Proposes To Cut Home Health Pay 1.5%, Add 2 Quality Measures

CMS Proposes To Cut Home Health Pay 1.5%, Add 2 Quality Measures-insidehealthpolicy: CMS on Thursday (June 27) proposed cutting pay to home health care services in 2014 by 1.5 percent, which would be a reduction of $290 million compared to this year's rate. The proposed pay rule also would add two claims-based quality measures and remove two categories of ICD-9-CM codes from the prospective-pay grouper. The 1.5 percent pay cut is the net result of several adjustments: 2.4 percent home health pay increase ($460 million increase); rebasing the national, standardized 60-day episode pay rate, the national per-visit pay rates, and the non-routine medical supplies (NRS) conversion factor ($650 million decrease); and ICD-9-CM coding adjustments ($100 million decrease).

FDA’s Device Labeling Proposed Rule Misses The Mark, Industry Says

FDA’s Device Labeling Proposed Rule Misses The Mark, Industry Says-graysheet: FDA issued its proposed rule in April on “Use of Certain Symbols in Labeling,” which would allow medical device and biological product makers to include symbols to convey information to users without the previous requirement of including explanatory text next to the symbol. (See "FDA Proposes Rule On Symbols In Device Labeling" — "The Gray Sheet," Apr. 22, 2013.) But to use stand-alone symbols, FDA says firms must explain the symbols in a comprehensive glossary that accompanies the device, a requirement that many in industry say is duplicative and unnecessary.

Hospitals moving to high-tech ways to ensure employees keep their hands clean

Hospitals moving to high-tech ways to ensure employees keep their hands clean-washingtonpost: RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Hospitals have fretted for years over how to make sure doctors, nurses and staff keep their hands clean, but with only limited success. Now, some are turning to technology — beepers, buzzers, lights and tracking systems that remind workers to sanitize, and chart those who don’t.

Long-term care commission seeks bipartisan solutions

Long-term care commission seeks bipartisan solutions-politico: The sprint is officially on for the new federal long-term care commission. The 15-member panel met for the first time Thursday afternoon, facing just a three-month window to overcome partisan differences and recommend reforms for long-term care delivery and financing after the highly publicized demise of the CLASS Act.

Industry Says Update To 510(k) Modification Policy Should Emphasize Design Controls, Risk Management

Industry Says Update To 510(k) Modification Policy Should Emphasize Design Controls, Risk Management-thegraysheet:  FDA’s current policy for determining when a modified device needs a new 510(k) works well without major changes, device industry representatives say. But they say it could be improved with more emphasis on the importance of design controls and risk management procedures to guide a company’s decision-making process.

Rising healthcare costs not directly tied to medical technology, according to study

Rising healthcare costs not directly tied to medical technology, according to study-massdevice: A recent study by European researchers casts doubt on widespread claims that medical technology is the key driver of rising healthcare expenditures. Some medical technologies do contribute to greater healthcare costs, according to researchers, but others are actually cost-neutral or costs-saving.

Study: More Medicare savings coming

Study: More Medicare savings coming-politico: Medicare savings could be $1.1 trillion more than the Medicare trustees estimated over the next 10 years if current trends continue, according to a study backed by the Federation of American Hospitals. The study, due to be released on Tuesday, also finds that the recent decline in health care spending growth is because of structural changes in health care more than economic factors.