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Starting on the first a new rule goes into place regarding prescription drugs for those on Medicare. The max out of pocket is now $2000 and the prices on certain drugs deemed too expensive by the administration are now "negotiated capped". That is good news but the unintended consequences are that the drug companies are rising prices on other drugs to make up for it. The rise is on average 4.5%. Not bad but not that good either.
The administration announced a new federal rule stating medical debt was not to be considered in credit reports. The is supposed to raise the average credit report number by 20 points. They are correct to state that medical debt is a poor predictor of an individual's ability to repay a loan. The credit agencies removed medical debt under $500 from consumer reports last year. What this does not do is to forbid action against patients who have a debt to the provider of service and that provider being able to pursue that debt on his own or via a credit agency. Although the debt can not be used against the person the debt is still owed and due. The credit reporting agencies do not agree with the administration and are suing stating Congress has passed a law regarding this and an agency can not act contrary to the law.
CMS announced the final payments for 2025. The payments to managed care plans would increase by 4.33% while Congress will dither to decide to continue to allow the private practice of medicine to decline to nothingness.
CMS has issued another rule. This one concerns health insurance brokers and how to discipline them. It allows CMS to immediately. It sets user fees for monthly premiums for federal and state based marketplaces for ACA. It also sets other fees and some DEI issues that would not be allowed under the Trump time in office. Top
A new Massachusetts law targets private healthcare investors. They will have new reporting requirements regarding their financials. Top
DISCLAIMER: Although this article is updated periodically, it reflects the author's point of view at the
time of publication. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Readers
should consult with their own legal counsel before acting on any of the
information presented.