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Author: Lauren Brown

CMS Updates: Enrollment Changes, Chronic Care Support, Coding Revisions & More

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CMS recently announced several updates that may affect provider enrollment, chronic care management, opioid treatment programs, and coding requirements. Here’s what healthcare organizations should know. Medicare Enrollment Application Changes Take Effect August 3 Clinics, group practices, and other suppliers that submit paper Medicare enrollment applications should be aware of upcoming changes to Form CMS-855B. Medicare Administrative Contractors will accept both the current and revised forms through August 2, 2026. Beginning August 3, providers must use…
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Medicare Highlights Resources to Support Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

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CMS is encouraging healthcare providers to review available Medicare services that support patients receiving treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). The reminder follows findings from a recent Office of Inspector General report that highlighted the benefits of medication-assisted treatment, particularly the use of buprenorphine. According to the report, buprenorphine can help reduce opioid use and lower the risk of overdose, contributing to improved patient outcomes and long-term recovery success. As opioid-related health concerns continue to…
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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Named One of America’s Best Employers for 2026

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for 2026. The annual ranking, developed in partnership with Statista, evaluates large employers across the United States based on employee feedback and public recommendations. The recognition is based on survey responses from more than 217,000 U.S. employees working for organizations with at least 1,000 employees. The study considered millions of evaluations, with the greatest emphasis placed on…
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8 GLP-1 findings to know

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A wave of new research is expanding what clinicians and health system leaders know about GLP-1 medications, covering new territory from liver disease to male fertility to a blood pressure safety signal.  Resource: 8 GLP-1 findings to know

8 New Drug Shortages Healthcare Providers Should Monitor

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Drug shortages continue to impact healthcare organizations nationwide. According to recent data, active shortages increased again during the first quarter of 2026, with more than 220 medications currently affected. The FDA continues to update its shortage database as manufacturers discontinue products, adjust production, or work to restore supply. Below are eight recent drug shortage and discontinuation updates providers should be aware of: 1. Dexmedetomidine Hydrochloride Injection Slayback Pharma has discontinued certain 4 mcg/mL presentations of…
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UnitedHealth Group Updates: Key Developments Healthcare Organizations Should Monitor

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UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiaries have been involved in several notable developments across healthcare, pharmacy benefits, leadership, and regulatory matters. Here are ten updates healthcare organizations may want to monitor: 1. Fairview Health Services to End Certain Medicare Advantage Scheduling Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services announced it will stop scheduling patients enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans beginning January 1, 2027, signaling ongoing challenges in payer-provider contracting. 2. Optum Rx Appoints New Health Plan Market President…
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Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program Launches July 1: What Practices and Patients Should Know

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Beginning July 1, Medicare beneficiaries may see significant savings on certain GLP-1 medications through the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program. The initiative was established through agreements with major drug manufacturers and is designed to improve access to popular weight management and diabetes medications while reducing out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients. Several large pharmacy providers are preparing to support the program. CVS Health announced expanded patient services that include lower copay options for qualifying Medicare beneficiaries,…
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QPP Releases 2027 Registry Self-Nomination Resources

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Organizations interested in participating as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) or Qualified Registry for the 2027 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance year can now access updated self-nomination materials through the Quality Payment Program (QPP) Resource Library. CMS has published several key resources to help organizations prepare for the application process, including a self-nomination fact sheet, a detailed user guide, and a measure development handbook. These materials outline eligibility requirements, application procedures, and expectations…
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Preparing for the New Maternity Care Coding Changes in 2027

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Healthcare providers who offer obstetric services should begin preparing for significant maternity coding updates that take effect January 1, 2027. The American Medical Association (AMA) is retiring the longstanding global obstetric code structure and replacing it with a new maternity care code set designed to better reflect the care patients receive throughout pregnancy. The current global coding model bundles many maternity services together, regardless of differences in patient needs, visit frequency, or pregnancy complexity. The…
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CMS Updates Demographic Data Refresh Schedule and Medicare Claims Lookback Period

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented changes designed to improve the accuracy and availability of clinician information within the Quality Payment Program (QPP). More Frequent Demographic Data Updates Beginning in April 2026, CMS increased the refresh frequency for Doctors and Clinicians demographic data from every two months to monthly updates. This change allows provider profile information to be updated more regularly, helping ensure that publicly available clinician data remains current and…
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QPP Update: Key MIPS Registration Deadlines, Performance Data, and Compliance Announcements for 2026

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released several important updates affecting Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) participants, Alternative Payment Model (APM) entities, and healthcare organizations preparing for the 2026 performance year. 2026 MVP Registration Is Now Open Organizations planning to participate in a Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Value Pathway (MVP) can now register through November 30, 2026. Before registering, participants should identify: CMS also introduced a new requirement for group reporting…
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CMS Completes Transition to Paperless CLIA Operations

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Laboratories participating in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program should be aware that CMS has fully transitioned to paperless operations as of March 1, 2026. This change affects how laboratories receive certificates, pay fees, and receive official communications from CMS. What Has Changed? CMS no longer mails paper CLIA certificates or fee coupons. In addition, all CLIA certification and survey fees must now be paid electronically. Paper checks are no longer accepted. Laboratories can…
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