Dorsey Health Law Blog

Healthcare Message Exempt under the TCPA’s Implementing Regulations

The Dorsey Health Law blog team keeps readers up-to-date on relevant topics in the health care industry. In order to do so, the members of the blog team communicate regularly with other practice groups within the firm for applicable updates from client publications. For this post, we would like to thank Dorsey’s Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”)...

OIG Seeks Public Input on Anti-Kickback Statute and Beneficiary Inducements CMP as part of the “Regulatory Sprint to Coordinated Care”

The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has identified the anti-kickback statute (AKS) and beneficiary inducements civil monetary penalty (CMP) as potential barriers to arrangements that could promote better patient care coordination and value-based arrangements.  On August 27, 2018, the OIG published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input...

Calls for Modernizing the Stark Law Continue; CMS Seeks Public Input on Stark Law Reforms

Many regulatory and legislative calls for modernizing the federal physician self-referral law (or “Stark Law”) in light of the move to value-based payment under Medicare have been made in recent months.  Most recently, a hearing on “Modernizing the Stark Law to Ensure the Successful Transition from Volume to Value in the Medicare Program” took place...

FDA Issues Guidance on Drug and Device Manufacturer Communications: Part II – Medical Product Communications that are Consistent with the FDA-Required Labeling

On June 12, the FDA issued guidance that clarifies its recommendations for certain product communications made by medical product manufacturers, packers, and distributors (collectively “firms”). The guidance, “Medical Product Communications That Are Consistent With the FDA-Required Labeling” (the “Guidance”), explains the FDA’s views on firms’ communication of information that is not contained in the FDA-required...

FDA Issues Guidance on Drug and Device Manufacturer Communications: Part I – Health Care Economic Information and Unapproved Products/Use Communications with Payors

On June 12, the FDA issued guidance that clarifies its recommendations for certain medical product communications. The guidance, “Drug and Device Manufacturer Communications With Payors, Formulary Committees, and Similar Entities – Questions and Answers” (the “Guidance”), provides answers to common questions about the communications between medical product manufactures, packers, and distributors (“firms”), and insurance companies,...

CMS Announces Rural Health Strategy

Last week the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released its first Rural Health Strategy. The strategy is intended to improve the agency’s service to individuals living in rural areas. CMS’ Rural Health Council, created during the Obama Administration, developed the strategy by examining current rural-focused programs at CMS, reviewing the methods used by...

CMS Expands Health Related Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans

Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) announced new flexibility in what Medicare Advantage plans may cover as “supplemental health care benefits.” The announcement was part of CMS’ release of Calendar Year 2019 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement and Call Letter. The Medicare Managed Care Manual (Chapter 4, Section 30.1)...

President Trump Gives Speech on Prescription Drug Prices and Releases Blueprint to Lower Drug Prices and Reduce Out-of-Pocket Costs

On May 11, 2018, President Trump gave his long-awaited speech on his administration’s plan to lower prescription drug prices. In addition, the administration published its Blueprint to Lower Drug Prices and Reduce Out-of-Pocket costs. The blueprint can be found here.  The blueprint focuses on four areas for reform including strategies to: (1) improve competition; (2)...

Iowa Legislature Sends Bill Imposing Additional Requirements for Prescription Monitoring Program Reporting to Governor for Signature

  Last week, with bipartisan support, both the Iowa House and Senate passed, unanimously, HF 2377   (“An Act Relating to the Regulation of Certain Substances, Including the Regulation of the Practice of Pharmacy, Providing Penalties, and Including Effective Date Provisions”). The bill is expected to be signed into law by the Governor in the coming days....