Here are four recent legislative changes that affect ASCs.
Legislators compromise to privatize N.C.'s $15B Medicaid program.
Legislators from North Carolina agreed to privatize the state's $15 billion Medicaid program under a proposal that took the North Carolina House and Senate more than two years to agree on. Three health insurers will be given contracts under North Carolina House Bill 372 to offer statewide Medicaid managed care plans, and North Carolina will have contracts with up to 10 provider-led entities that will enroll patients in regional managed care networks.
Feds maintain strict out-of-pocket healthcare spending limits.
Federal regulators are sticking to their strict out-of-pocket healthcare spending limits, and will impose new limits on how much out-of-pocket expenses employers with high-deductible plans can mandate employees to pick up starting next year. The regulatory guidance was jointly issued by the U.S. Departments of Health and Humans Services and Labor and Treasury in May.
ADP offers private health exchange option in wake of ACA's 'Cadillac Tax.'
The ADP will offer a private health exchange option for companies wanting to continue providing their employees' group health insurance coverage. Those companies' employees have the option to shop on that private health exchange for a variety of coverage options with different price points and benefits as opposed to the typical one or two choices that many larger employers offer.
Federal judge allows House to challenge ACA.
Federal judge Rosemary Collyer ruled that the House has the right to challenge the Affordable Care Act's use of subsidies to help low-income individuals afford insurance. Republicans claimed the spending provision needed congressional approval before granting the subsidies. Without the approval, Republicans state the funds should not have been spent.
More healthcare news:
7 things for ASC leaders to know for Monday — Sept. 21, 2015
Healthcare disparities remain prevalent in Washington — 5 key points
How healthcare is changing: Key thoughts on making it positive for ASCs