1672 pages. "In addition [to other changes], this final rule updates and refines requirements for hospitals to make public their standard charge information and enforcement of hospital price transparency."  MORE >>

"To help RREs prepare for potential CMPs, CMS is addressing some frequently asked questions. CMS will also be hosting webinars in January 2024 ... How does this rule affect my Section 111 reporting obligations? ... What are the key dates associated with this rule? ... When will CMS issue the first penalties under this rule? ... What is subject to a penalty? ... How will CMS identify instances of non-compliance? ... Will there be any limits on how many records could be audited for a particular RRE? ... What if the individual became entitled to Medicare after ORM was assumed or GHP coverage became effective? ... What if settlement occurs, but the specific TPOC amount is determined later? ... What if RREs have additional questions about their Section 111 Mandatory Insurer Reporting?"  MORE >>

"Standardization of Files and data elements for enhanced consumer access and readability ... Improved accessibility for oversight ... Required affirmation statement ... Strengthened and streamlined enforcement capabilities."  MORE >>

"CMS [is] strengthening hospital price transparency regulations to require hospitals to make standard charges publicly available in a more standardized manner. This will make it easier for the public to learn what a hospital charges for a particular service, for third parties to develop consumer-friendly materials, for hospitals to comply, and for CMS to enforce the regulations. CMS is also streamlining hospital price transparency enforcement capabilities[.]"  MORE >>

"The law requires confidentiality.... [E]mployers may not interfere with an employee's right to take Reproductive Loss Leave, or retaliate against employees for requesting or taking this leave. Employees should create written policies providing Reproductive Loss Leave to employees."  MORE >>

"With respect to intermittent FMLA leave for remote employees, employers need to take extra care to ensure that timekeeping is properly recorded. If digital timekeeping isn't an option, it would be helpful to create a spreadsheet and require the employee to record intermittent FMLA time each day. The employee would need to turn that spreadsheet in at the end of each week to human resources to allow for proper tracking and recordkeeping of FMLA leave."  MORE >>

"[The] discussion draft [includes] policies aimed at expanding mental health care under Medicaid and Medicare and reducing prescription drug costs for seniors at the pharmacy counter.... [These proposals are] in addition to pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms previously passed out of Committee in July[.]"  MORE >>

"[M]ost coverage policies were structured to provide fair access for this set of 18 drugs. Insurers' cost-sharing policies fell short of ICER's criteria somewhat frequently, and several aspects of insurance policies were insufficiently transparent to consumers.... The transparency of policies to consumers was lackluster. Ideally, insurers would communicate in plain language to individuals whether their drugs will be covered and at what cost. Health plans should consider revising their materials to meet these goals."  MORE >>

"The letter, which follows a September 19 request for materials, highlights EBSA's expensive and overreaching investigations of retirement plan sponsors -- often described as endless and aimless -- that are ultimately punishing employers and discouraging them from sponsoring retirement benefit plans."  MORE >>