Did you miss our "Medicare Enrollment & Reassignment for Virtual/Hybrid Care Providers" webinar? Shame on you! Just kidding (mostly). But seriously, if you're a virtual care provider and you're still scratching your head over Medicare enrollment, you're missing out. Lucky for you, we've got the recording! Click here to get your dose of wisdom.
And speaking of wisdom, CMS dropped an RFI on the Health Technology Ecosystem, and CTeL is, as always, on the case! We're crafting a comment letter that'll make even the most jaded policy wonk say, "Now that's some good policy!" But we need your input! Send your brilliant thoughts to LydiaH@ctel.org by Friday, June 13th. Don't be shy – your ideas could be the next big thing (or at least get a nod in our letter).
Oh, and for all you aspiring Capitol Hill whisperers, remember those Hill Day Prep webinars? If you're still wondering how to navigate the legislative labyrinth, all the recordings are right here. Consider it your secret weapon for charming legislators and getting things done!
Industry News: AI, Remote Monitoring, and the Quest for Reimbursement Nirvana
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because things are getting interesting in the health tech world. A federal judge just basically told AI chatbots, "Sorry, robot, your free speech rights are on hold!" In a wrongful death lawsuit, US Senior District Judge Anne Conway said she's "not prepared" to grant First Amendment protection to chatbot output "at this stage." So, for now, it seems your AI therapist might still be held accountable for any virtual couch mishaps.
In happier news, the Mayo Clinic (those smarty-pants!) found that patients with remote monitoring after discharge did significantly better and needed less follow-up care. It's almost like having a tiny, virtual health guardian angel! This research is basically screaming, "More targeted telehealth applications, please!" because who doesn't love better community health?
And speaking of guidance, the National Academy of Medicine dropped a mic with their "Artificial Intelligence Code of Conduct for Health and Medicine." This isn't just some dusty old rulebook; it's a "blueprint for building trust, protecting patients, and ensuring that innovation benefits people." From the boardroom to the bedside, they've got you covered. Now that's a code of conduct we can get behind!
But it's not all rainbows and remote monitoring. A new study from Health Services Research found that reimbursement is a major buzzkill for Home Health Agency telehealth adoption. Apparently, 19% of HHAs that jumped on the telehealth bandwagon during COVID-19 later bailed, with reimbursement being the ultimate deal-breaker. C'mon, folks, let's get these HHAs the support they need!
Administration: CMS is Doing the ACO REACH-around... (of course, we mean 'reaches around' for improvement!)
CMS is like that kid in class who always shares their homework... if their homework was a preview of their ACO REACH model performance findings. Good news! Standard ACOs apparently saved a whopping $197 million, and even the high-needs ACOs managed to shave off $2.3 million. CMS also made some tweaks to the model, lowering the threshold for shared savings. It's almost like they want people to save money... shocking, we know!
Congress: Memorial Day, Medicaid Meltdowns, and Missing Budgets
Congress is out of session, presumably enjoying some well-deserved BBQ and reflection for Memorial Day. But don't think for a second they're not still fighting over money! Conversations about the Republican Party's "tax and spending megabill" are still simmering, and those massive Medicaid cuts are looking like a major fault line in the Senate. Even Elon Musk (because, of course he did) weighed in, saying it "undermines" his efforts to cut federal programs. We're pretty sure Congress won't be taking investment advice from him, but you never know!
And just when you thought things couldn't get more dramatic, the FY26 federal budget is looming, and the administration hasn't even released its full request yet! Congressional Democrats are throwing shade at the OMB for allegedly refusing to disclose spending for hundreds of federal programs. It's like a real-life game of hide-and-seek, but with billions of dollars and a whole lot of political drama. Stay tuned, because this budget battle is just heating up!
States: California's Couch Sessions Go Digital
And finally, a little tidbit from the Golden State! According to the latest UCLA data, Californians are apparently more into virtual therapy than in-person sessions. It seems the "couch" has officially gone digital for many residents. So, if you're ever feeling down, just remember, you can get help from the comfort of your own living room (pajamas optional!).
That's all for this week's Policy Scoop! Stay tuned for more hilarious insights, vital information, and maybe even a few more bad puns. Until next time, stay healthy, stay informed, and keep fighting the good fight for better health tech!
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