Life is hectic, we know, so here’s a recap of the Healthcare Weekly Hot Topics you can’t afford to miss:
1) States, plans get no flexibility under final mental health parity rule. Modern Healthcare, March 29, 2016.
CMS has finalized a rule that requires states to provide Medicaid enrollees and children the same level of benefits for mental health and substance abuse treatments as they provide for medical and surgical care.
2) Proposal to expand treatment for opioid abuse would make only a dent. Modern Healthcare, March 30, 2016.
The White House wants to double the patient load for doctors who prescribe buprenorphine, but critics don’t think this will do much to combat the opioid problem.
3) Bill seeks to address rising health insurance rates. The Washington Times, March 30, 2016.
Alaska is hoping to address the high-cost health insurance claims in an effort to stabilize rising rates.
4) MedStar Health forced to turn patients away after virus attack. Healthcare IT News, March 30, 2016.
A malware attack caused MedStar’s 10 hospitals and over 250 outpatient centers to shut down their computers and email on Monday.
5) F.D.A. Clears Use of New Test to Screen Blood Donations for Zika. The New York Times, March 30, 2016.
The FDA is allowing the use of an experimental test to screen blood donations for Zika.
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