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Author: Lauren Brown

CMS Issues Update on Medicare Telehealth Payment Limitations

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As of October 1, 2025, many of the temporary telehealth flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency have expired, following the absence of new Congressional action. This means several statutory payment restrictions under Medicare are now back in effect, including: Certain services remain exempt, including behavioral and mental health, monthly ESRD-related clinical assessments, and telehealth provided by Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs. To comply with current law, CMS has directed Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs)…
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CMS: All 50 States Apply for $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation Program

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that all 50 states have applied for the new $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, a landmark initiative to improve access, quality, and sustainability of care in rural communities across the U.S. Created under the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation (Public Law 119-21), the program empowers states to design and implement customized plans that address local health challenges and expand care access for rural populations. The…
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UAB Hospital Among Elite Group with Five or More Magnet Designations

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Less than 2% of the nation’s 6,093 hospitals have earned Magnet designation at least five times, according to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The Magnet program recognizes hospitals for nursing excellence, quality patient care, and innovations in professional practice. Of the nearly 650 Magnet-recognized hospitals worldwide, only 112 have achieved this distinction five or more times — and UAB Hospital in Birmingham is among them, with an impressive six Magnet designations. This recognition highlights…
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Will RVUs Survive in a Value-Based Future?

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Relative value units (RVUs) have long been the standard for measuring physician productivity and determining compensation. But as healthcare moves toward value-based care, the traditional RVU model faces growing scrutiny. RVUs, established in the late 1980s, account for work effort, practice expenses, and malpractice costs, and remain central to how CMS and health systems calculate reimbursement. Yet despite rising workloads, physician productivity increased 12% year over year in 2025, according to Kaufman Hall, while reimbursement…
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Alabama Hospitals Among Lowest in Nation for Unplanned Readmissions After Outpatient Surgery

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According to new CMS 2023 data, five hospitals across the U.S. achieved the lowest ratio of unplanned hospital visits after outpatient surgery — just 0.4. The dataset, updated August 6, tracks hospital return days, unplanned readmissions, and other quality measures following outpatient procedures. Three Alabama hospitals ranked among those with some of the lowest readmission ratios nationwide, reflecting the state’s strong performance in post-surgical care quality: These results underscore Alabama hospitals’ continued focus on patient…
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A New Era in Cancer Screening: What Leaders Should Know About Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED)

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Cancer is projected to claim 618,000 lives in the U.S. in 2025, according to the American Cancer Society. Despite advances in treatment, most deaths occur from cancers that don’t currently have guideline-recommended screening tests. Today, the CDC recommends screening for only four cancers — breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung — leaving two-thirds of cancers undetected until symptoms appear. Once cancers reach these later stages, treatments are less effective and survival rates drop significantly. That gap…
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Best and Worst U.S. States for Obesity: 2025 Report

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A new report from Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) highlights a slight national improvement in adult obesity rates, though overall prevalence remains high across the United States. The report, The State of Obesity: 2025, draws on data from the CDC and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In 2024, 19 states reported adult obesity rates at or above 35%, compared to 23 states in 2023. Still, more than 4 in 10 U.S. adults…
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Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2025

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A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights a sharp rise in antibiotic resistance worldwide, signaling growing challenges for infection control and treatment. The 2025 Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report, drawing on data from more than 100 countries, analyzed 22 antibiotics used to treat eight common bacterial pathogens through the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS). Key Findings WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned that “antimicrobial resistance is outpacing advances…
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Update: Jackson Hospital Secures Emergency Funding to Remain Open

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A federal bankruptcy judge has approved an emergency loan to help Montgomery-based Jackson Hospital continue operations through the holiday season, according to a report from AL.com. The hospital’s debtor-in-possession financing was increased from $22 million to $35 million following the court’s Oct. 14 ruling. According to Jackson Hospital’s Chief Restructuring Officer, the new funding should support the hospital through Thanksgiving and Christmas. The approval follows the Montgomery City Council’s Oct. 7 vote to pass a…
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CDC Forecasts Moderate Flu Season, Warns of Vaccine Shifts and Measles Surge

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As the CDC projects a moderate influenza season for 2025–26, U.S. hospitals continue to navigate multiple challenges — from changing vaccine guidance to disruptions in hospital-at-home and telehealth services, along with a growing measles outbreak. The 2024–25 flu season was one of the most severe in over a decade, with an estimated 47 million illnesses and 610,000 hospitalizations, according to the CDC. While similar hospitalization levels are expected this year, the agency predicts an overall…
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Claims Hold Update: CMS Resumes Processing Certain Claims

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CMS has directed all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to lift the claims hold and resume processing claims dated October 1, 2025, and later for several service types impacted by recently expired Medicare payment provisions. This includes claims under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, ground ambulance transports, and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) services. Telehealth claims that are confirmed behavioral or mental health services will also be processed, while other telehealth and Hospital Care at Home…
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Alabama Hospitals Recognized for Zero Infection Rates

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According to the latest CMS Healthcare-Associated Infections dataset, 338 hospitals across the U.S. achieved a zero rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) — a significant indicator of hospital quality and patient safety. The dataset, updated August 6, 2025, includes infection performance data collected through the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network from October 2023 through September 2024. These measures reflect how often patients develop infections during hospital stays compared to similar facilities nationwide. Alabama Hospitals…
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