On July 29, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed revisions to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2020. The Proposed Rule was published in the Federal Register on August 14.

CMS proposed to add three new codes for treatment of opioid use disorder to the list of services that are

On August 6, health insurer MVP Health Care announced an affiliation with Alliance for Better Health to address so-called social determinants of health in the Albany, New York area. The newly formed independent practice association (IPA), Healthy Alliance Independent Practice Association, is one of the first IPAs in the U.S. to focus exclusively on social

On July 23, companion legislation was introduced in the House and Senate by Senator Kamala Harris of California and New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler to legalize and tax marijuana at the federal level. The tax revenue from this legislation would support job training, substance abuse treatment, literacy programs, and other services for communities that have been

More than 40 physicians, clinicians and researchers from Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and other institutions issued a 16-page Statement of Concern to Massachusetts lawmakers requesting that the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Control Commission suspend processing new business licenses and conduct a public health assessment of its “Social Equity Program.” These practitioners are criticizing the inadequacy

In an era of online dialogue, healthcare providers still need to remain alert regarding their obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). As tempting as it may be to respond to patients’ criticisms and praise online, healthcare providers, as “covered entities” under HIPAA, should think twice before clicking “post.”

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On October 3, 2018, Congress passed the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act. The SUPPORT Act is intended to combat the opioid and heroin crisis by reducing use and supply, encouraging recovery, supporting caregivers and families, and driving innovation and long-term solutions. It also includes the expansion