Podcasts about final rule

The 2027 Marketplace Final Rule from CMS is here! Join Sarah as she pulls out takeaways for insurance agents selling ACA plans.   Get Connected:

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman sits down with Emily Trevino, senior managing partner at Wise Partners and a leader in NABIP's Individual Working Group, to break down the new CMS Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule. Emily discusses how the rule aims to address fraud and enrollment issues in the ACA marketplace while creating new challenges for consumers, carriers, and brokers. The conversation covers tighter verification requirements, changes to premium tax credit reconciliation, shortened enrollment windows, and increased oversight of brokers and agents, along with practical strategies for benefits professionals preparing for the next enrollment season.

This week in the Breakroom, Debbie Curtis joins Maddie News to discuss the recently released Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters final rule for 2027, specifically discussing the finalized policies related to catastrophic and non-network plans, as well as additional rulemaking we're watching for in the coming weeks.

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis, Lori Sommerfield, Taylor Gess, and Lane Page discuss the CFPB's sweeping final amendments to Subpart A of Regulation B. The group unpacks the elimination of the disparate impact legal theory from ECOA, the narrowing of the discouragement standard (including what it means for targeted advertising), and the significant new limits on special purpose credit programs (SPCPs). They also explore expected litigation challenges, the continuing role of the Fair Housing Act and state laws in bringing cases under the disparate impact theory, and the practical steps lenders should be taking now to reassess fair lending testing, SPCP design, and redlining risk in light of the final rule. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Yale University's Committee on Trust in Higher Education spent a year examining the forces behind declining public confidence in colleges and universities and came back with 20 recommendations for how institutions can respond. Julia Adams, cochair of the committee, walks us through the findings and what they might mean for campuses nationwide.  Here are links to the the report and the policy issues the hosts discuss: Report of the Yale Committee on Trust in Higher Education (PDF) https://president.yale.edu/sites/default/files/2026-04/Report-of-the-Committee-on-Trust-in-Higher-Education.pdf Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/01/2026-08556/reimagining-and-improving-student-education-federal-student-loan-program-final-regulations The Rule That's Blocking the Next Generation of Health Care Workers Higher Education Today | May 12, 2026 https://www.higheredtoday.org/2026/05/11/the-rule-thats-blocking-healthcare-workers/ Education Department's Final Rule on Financial Aid Locks in Restrictive Graduate Loan Limits  https://www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pages/ED-Final-Rule-Locks-in-Restrictive-Grad-Loan-Limits-.aspx Contact Congress: Help Students Access Professional Degree Programs https://www.votervoice.net/ACENET/Campaigns/132758/Respond Justice Denied: How Trump's Office for Civil Rights Reached a 12-Year Low in Protecting Students from Discrimination https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/04.24.26-Justice-Denied-How-Trumps-Office-for-Civil-Rights-Reached-a-12-Year-Low-in-Protecting-Students-from-Discrimination_FINAL.pdf Court blocks Education Department's data demands for over 170 more colleges Higher Ed Dive | April 27, 2026 https://www.highereddive.com/news/education-department-acts-survey-preliminary-injunction/818620/

In this episode of RISE Radio, we share an excerpt from the April 29 RISE webinar featuring Ana Handshuh, principal at CAT5 Strategies, and Melissa Smith, founder of Newton Smith Group, as they walk through the 2027 Medicare Advantage Final Rule.This episode focuses on what Medicare Advantage plans need to know about flex card and Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) changes, including: • Codified flex card and debit card disclosures for benefits, conditions, and limitations• Alternate pathways when members cannot use the card due to technical or non-technical barriers• SSBCI determinations that require both chronic illness criteria and benefit-level health impact rationale• Publicly posted eligibility criteria and the operational labor required ahead of January 1, 2027To listen to the entire 75-minute webinar, including their deep dive into the Star ratings redesign, click here or visit risehealth.org to access our webinar library.

We Like Shooting - Ep 659 This episode of We Like Shooting is brought to you by: Midwest Industries (Code: WLSISLIFE) Die Free Co. (Code: WLSISLIFE) Bowers Group (Code: WLS) Otis Technology (Code: WELIKESHOOTING15) Flatline Fiber Co (Code: WLS15) Text Dear WLS or Reviews +1 743 500 2171  Public   Show Titles   GOA GOALS Aug 1-2 in Iowa. https://goals.goa.org/ GunCon.net Tickets on sale now. Use code AGENCY171 GEAR CHAT Note Butt PUMP – https://x.com/Guns_com/status/2045565654690922951 [PTR] The Jack PTR's The Jack is a pump action 12 gauge shotgun offered in SBS or AOW format, based on a cutdown Mossberg Maverick 88. It features a 7-inch barrel and includes a sidesaddle shell carrier. The SBS model comes with both a stock and pistol grip for swapping. [Heckler & Koch] SP7 (Nick) The Heckler & Koch SP7 is a compact, civilian-legal semi-automatic pistol derived from the MP7 personal defense weapon. Chambered in 4.6 × 30 mm, it features a gas-operated rotary bolt system, low recoil, and exceptional accuracy with modern ergonomics including a full-length Picatinny rail and ambidextrous controls. Designed for professional security, tactical use, collectors, and sport shooters where legal. [Active Safety Designs] ARHK (Nick) The ARHK is a fully self-contained drop-in cassette trigger unit built on ARC-Fire technology, designed specifically for HK roller-delayed platforms including MP5, MP5K, and others. It installs directly into factory OEM polymer housings without modifications, featuring a pre-installed ejector and compatibility with all bolt carrier types. The trigger offers a three-position selector: Safe, Semi (standard pull), and Active Reset. [Beecher Tactical] NP-04 Plate Carrier (Nick) The NP-04 Plate Carrier by Beecher Tactical is designed from the ground up for additive manufacturing using fiber reinforced TPU and high strength cordage. It features a modular, user serviceable design with a structural, armor optional cummerbund and a padded liner of lightweight foaming PEBA for sweat wicking. Weight is around 3lbs dry, tested to hold 23lbs total load including plates. [OpenClaw] OpenClaw AI Agent (Savage) OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent platform that runs locally on macOS, Linux, or Windows, integrating with chat apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord to execute tasks such as managing emails, calendars, and shell commands. It supports various LLMs including Anthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, and local models via Ollama. The software is free to install via a one-liner script but incurs costs for API usage and hosting hardware. BULLET POINTS SDS Arms Inglis 2035 The Inglis 2035 from SDS Arms is a modernized Hi-Power style pistol featuring a straight slide with lightening cuts, optics-ready configuration with suppressor-height sights, single-slot rail, aggressive serrations, extended beavertail, crisp flat trigger without magazine disconnect, G10 grips with palm swell, large ambidextrous safeties, and 15-round magazine capacity. It incorporates contemporary enhancements like a massive slide stop and magazines that drop free. The design is positioned for personal defense and close quarters, with potential military or police applications. FN PureView Holographic Pistol Sight The FN PureView from FN America is the world's first holographic pistol sight utilizing ImageGuide technology to project a 3 MOA dot that remains aligned with the user's line of sight for reduced distortion and improved accuracy. It features a compact aluminum and titanium construction with a DeltaPoint Pro footprint, automatic brightness adjustment, and motion-sensing auto-on/off. Battery life is 800 hours continuous with a CR2032, and it operates from -40°F to 126°F while being waterproof and fog-resistant. GUN FIGHTS No one stepped into the arena this week. THE AGENCY BRIEF Agency Update  Agency Update  THE HOOK (COLD OPEN) THE INTEL (THE STORY) Why? The Play-by-Play The Reality Check (Hidden Incentives) Rumors THE 2A ANGLE (LEGAL & IMPACT) The Threat Bruen Test Regulatory Creep THE TALKING POINTS (ON-AIR READY) WLS IS LIFESTYLE Parametric OWB Holster for Handguns using TLR-1 This is a universal parametric 3D-printable OWB holster designed for handguns equipped with Streamlight TLR-1 or Harbor Freight Braun weapon-mounted lights. Retention is based on the light body, allowing customization of dimensions to fit various guns via parametric files, with options for TEK LOK or Safariland mounting patterns and standard or metric hardware. Recommended for printing in PETG, it addresses limited aftermarket holster support for certain firearms. Explaining Bail in the Myrtle Beach Self-Defense Shooting Case On June 12, 2025, Tequarius Barrett, 19, was charged with first-degree assault and battery after allegedly firing a gun in a late-night altercation near North Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, claiming self-defense under the state's stand-your-ground law. His bond was reduced from $200,000 to $20,000 with strict conditions including GPS monitoring and firearm prohibition, highlighting bail challenges in self-defense cases. A stand-your-ground immunity hearing is set for April 17, 2026. THE ALLEY Pauls Valley High School Shooting Incident: Principal Tackles Armed Intruder On April 8, 2026, 20-year-old Victor Lee Hawkins entered Pauls Valley High School armed with two loaded pistols. One pistol malfunctioned when he attempted to shoot a student, allowing principal Kirk Moore to tackle him despite being shot in the leg. No specific manufacturer, model, or technical details of the firearms are provided. Note Are you ready to do what needs to be done? Prepare yourself today, the body can't go where the mind has never been. https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/04/14/video-high-school-principal-tackles-wouldbe-mass-shooter/ Not Stated The article describes an incident at Old Dominion University where a pro-ISIS shooter named Mohamed Jalloh opened fire, but no specific manufacturer, model, or technical details about the firearm are provided. Army ROTC cadets, including Cadet Louis Ancheta, subdued the attacker using a pocket-knife, with no details on its make or model. No technical gear matching the required criteria (firearms with manufacturer and model) is explicitly detailed. GOING BALLISTIC Professor Jens Ludwig Pushes Behavioral Training and Public Space Improvements for Gun Violence Reduction (Savage) University of Chicago Professor Jens Ludwig advocates alternatives to uncertain gun control measures, proposing behavioral training programs like ‘Becoming A Man' in Chicago public schools to teach de-escalation of conflicts and urban design changes such as converting empty lots to pocket parks. These interventions target intuitive human thinking patterns (95% of brain activity) and environmental factors in high-violence areas to prevent escalation to gun violence. Detailed in his 2025 book ‘Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence,' the approach focuses on low-income U.S. neighborhoods without restricting firearms ownership. GOA Demands Investigation into ATF's Leaking of Personal Information in Silencer Shop Found. v. BATFE (Savage) Gun Owners of America (GOA) is demanding a U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General investigation after DOJ attorneys representing the ATF publicly disclosed sensitive NFA tax returns and personal details of a GOA member on a court docket without redaction during the Silencer Shop Found. v. BATFE litigation. The filings included unredacted ATF Forms 1 and a declaration detailing the member's firearm collection, with the error repeated even after being alerted. GOA cites potential violations of 26 U.S.C. § 6103 prohibiting public disclosure of such information. Shreveport, Louisiana: Convicted Felon Kills 8 Children in Mass Shooting (Savage) A convicted felon in Shreveport, Louisiana, fatally shot eight children aged 3 to 11 across three homes and injured two adult women on April 19, 2026, before being killed by police after a chase. The perpetrator violated federal law by possessing a firearm due to his prior felony conviction for shooting at a vehicle. The incident has sparked political commentary on gun control, with critics like California Gov. Gavin Newsom blaming the NRA and calling for restrictions. 13 U.S. Senators Demand ATF Stop Enforcing Vacated Biden-Era ‘Pistol Brace' Final Rule (Savage) Thirteen Republican U.S. Senators, led by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), sent a letter to the ATF on April 15 demanding an end to enforcement of the vacated 2023 ‘Factoring Criteria for Firearms with an Attached Stabilizing Brace' rule, which classified most pistols with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles under the National Firearms Act. They urge the ATF to issue an interpretive rule clarifying that braced firearms are not SBRs and to seek a permanent injunction via ongoing litigation by Texas and Gun Owners of America. The rule was vacated by courts in August 2024, but ATF signals intent to continue its legal theory. REVIEWS Review: Brown guy 78 from Iowa Review from Brown guy 78, Solid gun knowledge, Shawn is deeply dove into giving the listeners knowledge, Jeremy is usually sick and snotty, but his knowledge is endless, Nick is the sharpest edge, maybe because he's silent most of the time. Aaron is absent . So yeah, great podcast! (Intentionally left Savage out.. fuck him.) 5 stars! Love this show! Review: Anonymous Coward from Florida PooP Review: Anonymous Coward from OR Hilarious that this guy is offended by Trump's actions where was he when Biden was falling down stairs tripping over chords calling out for a dead person in the crowd. Confused walking down the White House lawn passing the door He's supposed to be entering. Not sure where to go on stage....

We Like Shooting - Ep 658 This episode of We Like Shooting is brought to you by: C&G Holsters (Code: WLSISLIFE) Midwest Industries (Code: WLSISLIFE) Gideon Optics (Code: WLSISLIFE) Rost Martin (Code: WLSISLIFE) Otis Technology (Code: WELIKESHOOTING15) Second Call Defense Text Dear WLS or Reviews +1 743 500 2171  Public   Show Titles   GunCon.net Tickets on sale now. Use code AGENCY171 GEAR CHAT Note Rost Martin Full size Note Ruger RXM review almost done. Note Nick got me back into 6mm ARC [Gideon Optics] Rock Red Dot Sight The Gideon Optics Rock Pistol Red Dot Sight features a compact 15.5mm x 22mm lens with unlimited eye relief and parallax-free operation at 33 yards for fast target acquisition. It offers red or green illumination with a 45MOA circle/3MOA dot or single 3MOA dot reticle, 1 MOA per click adjustments over 45 clicks, shake-to-wake activation, and up to 50,000 hours battery life from a CR-1632. Constructed from 7075-T6 aluminum with IPX7 waterproof/shockproof rating, it uses RMR footprint or includes a low-profile 1913 Picatinny mount. [Midwest Industries] MK2 QD 34MM Scope Mount The Midwest Industries MK2 QD 34MM Scope Mount features a patented QD lever by Elite Defense and is constructed from hard coat anodized 6061 aluminum for lifetime service. It offers a fully adjustable QD lever requiring no tools, superior clamping that avoids rail damage, and precision machining for optimal return to zero performance. Available in standard (MI-MK2-QD34SM) and high (MI-MK2-QD34SMH) variants, it supports scopes up to 56mm objective and includes the Optic Mount Tool. [AmmunitionToGo] Rifle Zero Calculator The Rifle Zero Calculator is a digital online tool provided by AmmunitionToGo for determining optimal rifle zeroing distances based on user-input parameters such as cartridge, bullet weight, and muzzle velocity. It assists shooters in calculating ballistic trajectories for precise zeroing. No physical product details are available. BULLET POINTS GUN FIGHTS No one stepped into the arena this week. THE AGENCY BRIEF Agency Update THE HOOK (COLD OPEN) “If you've ever wondered when the federal government decided your constitutional rights needed a permission slip and a background check, welcome to the Gun Control Act of 1968.” THE INTEL (THE STORY) Why?: The 1960s were a mess of race riots, civil unrest, and high-profile assassinations (JFK, MLK, RFK). The political elite used the national panic to ram through a wishlist of federal gun control they had wanted for decades, convincing the public that the legal supply chain was the enemy, rather than the radicals pulling the triggers. The Play-by-Play: What it did: Backroom Deals: Domestic gun manufacturers essentially sold out the people. They backed the bill because it banned the import of cheap, foreign-made handguns—effectively wiping out their competition. The Media Lie: The press sold the GCA as a “targeted” bill to stop assassins. They completely ignored that it effectively criminalized the interstate market, invented the “prohibited persons” list, and choked off the legal supply chain for everyday citizens. The Reality Check (Hidden Incentives): Rumors: Rumor (Highly Credible): Senator Thomas Dodd explicitly modeled the 1968 GCA after Nazi Germany's 1938 Weapons Law. Dodd was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials and public records confirm he had the Library of Congress translate the Nazi law. The structural parallels involving dealer licensing, tracking, and “sporting” clauses are nearly identical. Rumor: LBJ's push for the law was heavily influenced by elite, backroom fears of armed Black Panther patrols in California, rather than just the high-profile assassinations. Gun control is in fact rooted in racism. THE 2A ANGLE (LEGAL & IMPACT) The Threat: The GCA is the mother-ship of modern federal gun control. It created the Federal Firearms License (FFL) system, age restrictions, and the “prohibited persons” list. The ATF's current “zero tolerance” strategy of revoking licenses for misspelled words is entirely dependent on the FFL chokepoint created right here in '68. Bruen Test: Regulatory Creep: Pattern 1: Regulate the seller instead of banning the buyer (creating the FFL dependency). Pattern 2: Exploit intentionally vague language (like “engaged in the business”) so unelected bureaucrats can expand the law later without a Congressional vote. Pattern 3: Frame rights restrictions as “regulating interstate commerce” to bypass the Constitution. Pattern 4: Build the architecture of a registry quietly through compliance paperwork (Form 4473). THE TALKING POINTS (ON-AIR READY) WLS IS LIFESTYLE GFEN's Gun Maker's Match GMM is an annual DIY gun competition event that is the first official shooting competition exclusively for individuals who make their own guns. Multiple stage events are conducted for both Kit Built and 3D Printed guns in Pistol, PCC, and Rifle Divisions, with a special side match for .22lr 3D Printed Firearms. Guns For Everyone National has created the first Competition Series for 3D Printed & Kit Built Firearms.0 THE ALLEY AuxArc 3D Printable Firearms Holsters and Gear @AuxArc is a MakerWorld profile specializing in 3D printable models for firearms accessories, including holsters compatible with Glock 17/19 and Ruger RXM, as well as storage solutions for ammo and batteries. Pinned models feature OWB and IWB holsters with options for lights like Streamlight TLR-1/TLR-7 and optic cuts. These are designed for 3D printing with some watertight and parametric features, but no detailed mechanical specs beyond compatibility are provided. GOING BALLISTIC National Rifle Association v. NRA Foundation Lawsuit (Washington, D.C.) The NRA Foundation faces ongoing transparency issues in a lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association alleging illegal trademark use and failure to distribute funds. The Washington, D.C. Attorney General's office mediated the dispute but efforts failed, leading to a FOIA request (R005465-030626) for leadership details. The Foundation provided its 2024 Form 990 but refuses to disclose current trustees, officers, or salaries until the 2025 filing on November 15, 2026. New York Proposed Bills Reclassify BB Guns and Air Guns as Imitation Firearms (Savage) New York lawmakers have introduced bills in both the Assembly and Senate to reclassify airguns, BB rifles, and pellet guns as imitation firearms, requiring barrel plugs and toy-like coloration that would render them non-functional for firing projectiles. This aims to prevent police shootings involving realistic-looking airguns mistaken for real firearms. Paintball guns are exempted but face a raised purchase age from 16 to 18, while manufacturers would be deemed firearms industry members subject to public nuisance lawsuits. Colorado SB 26-043: Firearm Barrel Background Checks (Savage) Colorado Senate Bill 26-043 requires background checks, dealer transfers, and five-year recordkeeping for sales or transfers of firearm barrels, treating them like complete firearms. Non-serialized barrels must be serialized, with penalties including up to 30 days in jail and $500 fine for first-offense violations. The bill targets ghost guns but imposes compliance on all law-abiding gun owners in Colorado. Virginia HB40: Spanberger Signs Ghost Gun Ban (Savage) Virginia Governor Spanberger signed HB40, banning the manufacture, transfer, sale, importation, and eventual possession of unserialized firearms and unfinished frames or receivers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The law establishes a serialization process for federal firearms licensees but includes no grandfather clause. Most provisions take effect January 1, 2027, with the possession ban effective July 1, 2027.0 OCC and FDIC Final Rule Prohibiting Discrimination Against Firearm Companies (Savage) The OCC and FDIC have issued a new Final Rule that prohibits banking regulators from using ‘reputational risk' as a basis for supervisory actions against institutions serving the firearm and ammunition industry. This rule ends the practice of debanking lawful gun businesses by barring adverse actions based on political, social, or constitutionally protected activities. The National Shooting Sports Foundation praised it as a significant victory under the Trump administration. FPC Statement on Trump Administration's Decision to Support Biden ATF ‘Frame or Receiver' Rule (Savage) Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) issued a statement criticizing the Trump Administration for maintaining the Biden-era ATF ‘Frame or Receiver' rule after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it in March 2025. Despite FPC providing a proposed alternative rule in May 2025 and numerous other recommendations, the Administration informed FPC it would preserve the existing definition of firearm ‘frame' and ‘receiver'. FPC accuses the Administration of actively working against Second Amendment rights rather than protecting them. OCC and FDIC Final Rule Prohibiting Reputational Risk-Based Debanking of Firearm Industry The OCC and FDIC issued a final rule that eliminates ‘reputational risk' as a basis for supervisory actions against banks, directly addressing debanking of lawful firearm and ammunition businesses. This change prohibits regulators from encouraging account closures based on political or social views, promoting objective banking supervision. The rule responds to prior findings of inappropriate distinctions against gun-related companies by FDIC-insured institutions. Virginia Proposed Assault Weapons Ban: Gun Store Sales Surge in Henrico County Gun sales in Virginia have surged dramatically as residents rush to purchase firearms ahead of a proposed state ‘assault weapons' ban set to prohibit AR-15 possession after July 1, 2026, unless owned prior. Background checks rose from 47,069 in March 2025 to 79,

CMS recently published the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule. Don't miss the ASG Podcast top takeaways for insurance agents.   Get Connected:

In this timely episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman sits down with NABIP Medicare Advisory Group Chair Chalen Jackson for an in-depth discussion on the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule, released last week. They break down key policy changes, including updates to Star Ratings and Part D provisions, and what they mean for both beneficiaries and advisors. The conversation also explores evolving market dynamics, expected pressure on plan benefits, and new flexibilities for agents that can improve workflow and client engagement. Chalen highlights how ongoing advocacy efforts helped shape many of these changes and offers practical guidance on how advisors can prepare for another challenging enrollment season.

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast, Mike Smith and Josh Slattery break down the key updates from the 2027 CMS Medicare Final Rule and what it means for agent partners. One of the biggest headlines is the rate increase for Medicare Advantage plans, rising from 0.9% to 2.48%, which injects approximately $13 billion into the system. While this funding boost is significant, it will likely influence product design, including potential reductions in certain non-essential supplemental benefits. The discussion also highlights the codification of the Inflation Reduction Act provision that caps out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,100, providing greater financial protection for beneficiaries. From a compliance standpoint, several important changes are addressed. The removal of the 48-hour waiting period for Scope of Appointment and the reduction of call recording retention requirements from 10 years to 6 years are expected to streamline agent workflows while maintaining regulatory standards. The episode also explores the evolving focus of Star Ratings, with a shift toward clinical outcomes and away from administrative measures — signaling a broader move toward quality of care and patient results. The Brokerage Inc. will continue to keep you informed about CMS changes for 2027.  Visit our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com to learn more. Remember to like, share, and subscribe to our show!  New episodes are available every Tuesday. Join our Community! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-brokerage-inc-/   Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thebrokerageinc/  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thebrokerageinc/  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrokerageIncTexas  Website:  https://thebrokerageinc.com/   

Join us at the Seven Figure Medicare Agent Summit: https://sevenfigure.com/summit/ On this episode of the Seven Figures or Bust podcast, the discussion focuses on the CMS Final Rule for Plan Year 2027, highlighting the removal of the 48-hour Scope of Appointment (SOA) rule as the biggest change. The hosts explain that this marks a shift toward deregulation after years of added restrictions like call recording and strict marketing rules, which made it harder for agents to operate. Overall, they present the Final Rule as a positive move that simplifies the sales process, improves client interactions, and creates better opportunities for growth in the Medicare insurance  

Learn how to sponsor the Seven Figure Medicare Agent Summit: https://sevenfiguremedicareagentsummit.com/ In this episode of the Seven Figures or Bust Podcast, the hosts break down the looming Medicare Advantage rule changes, dive into the uncertainty around 2027 rate increases, and explain how these decisions could shake up plan benefits, commissions, and the entire insurance landscape—while also calling out common mistakes agents make in growing their business and what it really takes to stay ahead.

The Friday Five for March 27th: Macbook Neo & WWDC26 Gas Buddy for Fuel Savings The Great Nee-Doh Shortage KFF State Health Facts Resource CMS Final Rule on Fax & Snail Mail   Get Connected:

We've launched a new project: FRTracker.app. It's a platform designed to help track what's happening across the regulatory state—rulemakings, agency actions, and the steady flow of activity coming out of administrative agencies.The goal is straightforward: make it easier to see what's changing, when it's changing, and why it matters.If you're an attorney, journalist, or researcher working in this space, we'd encourage you to take a look. And as always, feedback is not just welcome—it's essential. The website is FRTracker.app and we look forward to hearing from you or, if all is in order, your finding a way to make use of it in your practice area or work. Thanks so much!This Day in Legal History: First Official Meeting of the US Republican PartyOn March 20, 1854, the newly formed Republican Party held its first official meeting in Ripon, Wisconsin, marking a pivotal moment in American legal and political history. The party emerged in direct response to the passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, a controversial law that allowed new territories to decide the legality of slavery through popular sovereignty. This legislative shift effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise, which had previously set geographic limits on slavery's expansion.The outrage among anti-slavery activists, lawyers, and former members of existing parties led to a rapid political realignment. Legal debates at the time centered on Congress's authority over the territories and whether slavery could be restricted as a matter of federal law. These were not abstract questions—they went directly to the structure of the Constitution and the balance of power between federal authority and local control.The formation of the Republican Party reflected a growing belief that existing legal frameworks had failed to contain the spread of slavery. Within a few years, the party would become a major political force, culminating in the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. By his reelection campaign in 1864, however, Lincoln ran under the banner of the National Union Party, a wartime coalition of Republicans and pro-Union Democrats.That shift did not necessarily reflect a rejection of the Republican Party itself, but it did signal unease with factionalism and the limits of party identity during a constitutional crisis. The rebranding was a strategic and legal-political move: to broaden support for the Union, stabilize governance, and frame the election as a referendum on national survival rather than partisan ideology.The legal disputes surrounding slavery, territorial governance, and federal authority would ultimately be resolved not just through legislation or court decisions, but through war and constitutional amendment. The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution would later eliminate slavery nationwide, fundamentally reshaping American law.What began as a meeting in a small Wisconsin town became a turning point in the legal history of the United States, illustrating how statutory change can rapidly destabilize existing legal and political orders.A federal judge in Oregon ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services cannot enforce a policy aimed at restricting gender-affirming care for minors, siding with 21 states and the District of Columbia. The challenged policy, issued by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., declared such care unsafe and ineffective and warned that providers could lose access to Medicare and Medicaid funding. The states argued the policy was unlawful because it bypassed required rulemaking procedures and interfered with their authority to regulate medical practice.Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai granted summary judgment to the states and rejected the federal government's attempt to dismiss the case. While the court has not yet issued a full written opinion, it signaled that the policy will be formally invalidated, with further briefing ordered on the scope of relief. The states emphasized that the policy placed healthcare providers in a difficult position by threatening funding while conflicting with state laws that protect access to gender-affirming care.The federal government argued the policy was merely advisory and not subject to judicial review, but the court was not persuaded. State attorneys general described the ruling as a rejection of federal overreach and an affirmation that such healthcare remains lawful. The decision preserves access to care for transgender minors in the plaintiff states, at least for now.This case turns in part on whether the HHS policy qualifies as a “final agency action” that must go through notice-and-comment rulemaking under the APA. The states argued that even if labeled as guidance, the policy had real legal consequences—namely, threatening loss of federal funding—making it effectively binding. Courts often look beyond labels to the practical effect of agency actions, and here the judge appeared to agree that the policy could not avoid APA requirements simply by being framed as a statement rather than a formal rule. This issue, central to the dispute, frequently arises in challenges to modern administrative action.HHS Can't Block Trans Care Under Kennedy Edict, Court Says - Law360A coalition of eight states has sued to block Nexstar Media Group's $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, even after the deal received approval from both the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission. The states argue the merger would create excessive concentration in local television markets, giving the combined company control over stations reaching roughly 80% of U.S. households. They contend this market power would allow Nexstar to raise prices for cable and satellite providers and reduce competition for broadcast content.The lawsuit also raises concerns about the impact on local journalism, with state enforcers warning that consolidation could lead to newsroom cuts and less coverage of local issues. DirecTV filed a parallel challenge, similarly arguing that the deal would increase costs, reduce competition, and lead to more frequent service disruptions.Despite these objections, the FCC approved the merger with conditions, including the divestiture of several stations and commitments related to pricing and local news. Nexstar defended the deal as necessary to sustain local broadcasting and improve its ability to deliver journalism at scale.The case highlights a growing divide between federal regulators and state enforcers, with states increasingly willing to challenge mergers even after federal clearance. It also reflects broader concerns about consolidation in media markets and its downstream effects on both pricing and the availability of local news.States Sue To Block $6.2B Tegna Acquisition Despite Feds' OK - Law360In this piece I wrote for Forbes, I look at the Netherlands' decision to outsource the core infrastructure of its value-added tax (VAT) system to the U.S.-based company FAST Enterprises. This is not just a software contract—FAST is responsible for operating, maintaining, and running key components of the Dutch VAT system remotely. Given that VAT generates roughly €1.5 billion per week in revenue, the arrangement creates a situation where a critical stream of government funding depends, at least in part, on a system controlled outside the country.I explain that this introduces a new kind of risk: technical dependency can quickly become financial dependency. If VAT collection is disrupted for any reason, the government cannot simply pause operations—it must borrow, and markets may react immediately. That turns what appears to be an IT issue into a fiscal and potentially geopolitical one.The broader argument is that this reflects a deeper shift in how states operate. What looks like routine modernization is actually a trade-off between efficiency and control. By adopting what I describe as “VAT-as-a-service,” the Netherlands has effectively externalized part of its tax infrastructure, raising questions about who ultimately controls a core sovereign function.I also place this in a geopolitical context, noting that reliance on foreign-operated infrastructure can create indirect leverage, even without any explicit “off switch.” The concern is less about intentional disruption and more about exposure—legal, regulatory, or systemic—that comes with cross-border dependence.Finally, I argue that this is not just a Dutch issue but a European trend, as governments increasingly rely on private and often non-domestic vendors for critical systems. The key takeaway is that tax infrastructure decisions should be evaluated not just on cost and efficiency, but on sovereignty, jurisdiction, and contingency planning.Dutch VAT-As-A-Service And The Quiet Outsourcing Of Tax SovereigntyApologies for a double dose of me today – I wrote a piece for Yale's Journal of Regulation Notice & Comment blog examining how regulatory obligations change during notice-and-comment rulemaking. The core argument is that most analyses look at the wrong unit—entire rules—when the real substance of regulation lies in the individual obligations imposed on regulated parties. By breaking rules down into sentence-level commands, the analysis tracks what actually happens to those obligations from proposal to final rule.The data shows that only about one-third of proposed obligations survive into final rules in a recognizable form, while most are eliminated altogether. Agencies are far more likely to remove obligations than to revise them, suggesting that rulemaking operates less like incremental editing and more like a filtering process. At the same time, final rules frequently introduce entirely new obligations that were not present in the proposal.When obligations do carry over, their core legal force—whether something is required, prohibited, or permitted—almost never changes. This indicates that survival tends to preserve substance, even as most proposed provisions disappear. The analysis also finds significant variation across agencies, with some making minimal changes and others heavily restructuring their rules.The findings challenge the assumption that proposed rules are reliable previews of final regulatory requirements. Instead, they suggest that stakeholders may be commenting on provisions that are unlikely to survive, while final rules may include new obligations that were never clearly proposed. This reframes notice-and-comment as a process that selects and reshapes regulatory commands, rather than simply refining them.The key legal insight is that the notice-and-comment process may not function primarily as iterative refinement, but as a filtering system that determines which obligations survive into binding law. This matters because administrative law doctrine assumes that public comments help shape final rules through feedback on proposed text. If most obligations are discarded rather than revised, it raises questions about whether the process provides meaningful notice of what will ultimately bind regulated parties. That directly challenges conventional assumptions about how rulemaking works in practice.Only One-Third of Proposed Regulatory Obligations Survive to the Final Rule, by Andrew Leahey - Yale Journal on Regulation This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

The U.S. government took two big steps to fix problems with truck drivers who live outside the country. One is a new rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL), which tightens rules on who can hold a commercial driver's license. The other, Delilah's Law, is a new Senate bill that proposes even stricter nationwide changes. The bill is named after Dalilah Coleman who was five years old in June 2024 when she was critically injured in a multi-car pileup in Adelanto, California. The crash was caused by an 18-wheel tractor-trailer driven by Partap Singh, an Indian national who had entered the U.S. illegally in 2022. Both moves come after deadly crashes and widespread state noncompliance, and they could reshape the pool of available drivers for fleets. Here is an article I wrote that was recently published with Freightwaves. This program is brought to you by DAT Freight & Analytics. Since 1978, DAT has helped truckers & brokers discover more available loads. Whether you're heading home or looking for your next adventure, DAT is building the most trusted marketplace in freight. New users of DAT can save 10% off for the first 12 months by following the link below. Built on the latest technology, DAT One gives you control over every aspect of moving freight, so that you can run your business with speed & efficiency.This program is also brought to you by our newest sponsor, GenLogs. GenLogs is setting a new standard of care for freight intelligence. Book your demo for GenLogs today at www.genlogs.io today!

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we discuss HHS's new model Notice of Privacy Practice for Part 2 programs, what has changed, and what that means for your practice.  We cover: The Part 2 Final Rule from 2024 Why the Feb. 16th enforcement deadline has been so confusing The model Part 2 NPP and Patient Notice from HHS, and the function of each document Who is considered a lawful holder and what that means Whether you need to switch to the HHS templates What to do if you already used our decision guide and resources ahead of the deadline Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/ For more, visit our website. Resources Updated HHS Model Notice of Privacy Practices Model Part 2 Patient Notice HHS Part 2 Final Rule Fact Sheet PCT decision guide and sample language resource Additional PCT Resources Episode 605: 42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA NPPs, and the February 16 Deadline: What Actually Needs to Change Group Practice Care Premium weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours — including monthly session with therapist attorney Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more

On Feb. 17, the Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule that changes one deceptively simple question at the heart of disability exams. Then on  February 19, the VA halted the enforcement the controversial Rule. 

Gil Fink breaks down web rendering patterns including server side rendering, SSR, client side rendering, CSR, and static rendering, along with newer approaches like islands architecture, resumability, and hybrid rendering. The conversation explores tradeoffs around hydration, web performance, INP, CDN caching, and bundle size optimization, and compares frameworks like Next.js, TanStack Start, Astro, Qwik, and Remix to help developers make better decisions about React rendering strategies and overall application performance. Links Resources We want to hear from you! How did you find us? Did you see us on Twitter? In a newsletter? Or maybe we were recommended by a friend? Fill out our listener survey! https://t.co/oKVAEXipxu Let us know by sending an email to our producer, Elizabeth, at elizabeth.becz@logrocket.com, or tweet at us at PodRocketPod. Check out our newsletter! https://blog.logrocket.com/the-replay-newsletter/ Follow us. Get free stickers. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, fill out this form, and we'll send you free PodRocket stickers! What does LogRocket do? LogRocket provides AI-first session replay and analytics that surfaces the UX and technical issues impacting user experiences. Start understanding where your users are struggling by trying it for free at LogRocket.com. Try LogRocket for free today. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Gil's Background 01:00 Why Rendering Patterns Keep Evolving 02:00 What Problem Rendering Patterns Solve 03:00 Frameworks and Rendering Decisions 04:00 Server Side Rendering Explained 05:30 Client Side Rendering and Hydration Costs 07:00 Performance Tradeoffs Between SSR and CSR 08:30 Static Rendering for Blogs and Marketing Sites 09:30 Hybrid Rendering and Progressive Enhancement 11:00 How to Choose the Right Rendering Strategy 12:00 Interactivity as the Key Decision Factor 14:00 Islands Architecture vs SSR 16:00 Common Mistakes with Rendering Choices 17:30 Real World Performance Tuning Examples 19:00 When You Don't Actually Need Next.js 21:00 The Rise of Hybrid Rendering 22:30 Next.js vs TanStack Start 24:00 Final Rule of Thumb for Choosing Rendering Patterns

We Like Shooting - Ep 650 This episode of We Like Shooting is brought to you by: C&G Holsters (Code: WLSISLIFE) Midwest Industries (Code: WLSISLIFE) Primary Arms Night Fision (Code: WLSISLIFE) Blue Alpha Mitchell Defense (Code: WLS10) Bowers Group (Code: WLS) Swampfox Optics Guests: Matt Larosiere Patreon.com/fuddbusters Text Dear WLS or Reviews +1 743 500 2171  New Public Notes Page: https://dngrsfrdm.com/public/ BULLET POINTS Nielsen Device Boosterless Silencer System The Nielsen Device is a boosterless silencer system designed for direct-thread mounting on pistols, eliminating the need for a traditional Nielsen booster or piston. It enables suppressed shooting with standard direct impingement pistol designs without the torque issues associated with boosters. The system uses a proprietary boosterless mount and boosterless booster assembly for reliable function on various pistol calibers. Mission First Tactical (MFT) New Pocket Holster Mission First Tactical (MFT) introduces a new pocket holster designed for concealed carry, featuring a durable construction with a sticky exterior for secure pocket retention. It accommodates micro-compact pistols and supports quick draw access while preventing printing. The holster is compatible with popular subcompact firearms like the Sig P365 and Glock 43. Luth-AR Globe Charging Handle The Luth-AR Globe Charging Handle is an AR-15 charging handle featuring a large spherical knob for ambidextrous operation, designed to reduce fatigue during extended shooting sessions. It is constructed from 7075 T6 aluminum with a hard coat anodized finish and weighs 1.6 ounces. The handle allows for easier manipulation in various conditions, including gloved use, and is compatible with standard AR-15 upper receivers. Note (Nick) GAFS https://gafshub.com/wls GUN FIGHTS No one stepped into the arena this week. WLS IS LIFESTYLE Note pocket carry Thin Line Weapons NFA Collection Thin Line Weapons offers a selection of NFA-regulated firearms including suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns. The page lists products such as the Huxwrx Flow 556K suppressor and various SBR configurations. All items comply with National Firearms Act requirements and are available for purchase with appropriate ATF approvals. GOING BALLISTIC ATF's ‘Engaged in the Business' Rule Mirrors Canada's Firearms Confiscation Approach (Shooting Wire Analysis) The article argues that the ATF's Final Rule on the Definition of “Engaged in the Business” Selling Firearms and Ammunition, effective May 20, 2024, effectively enables a backdoor gun grab in the US similar to Canada's 2020 Order in Council banning over 1,500 firearms models. It claims the rule reclassifies private sales and occasional transfers as requiring a Federal Firearms License (FFL), mirroring Canada's prohibition-then-buyback strategy. The piece warns this erodes Second Amendment rights by criminalizing common firearm transactions without due process. Utah HB 431: GOP Rep. Cheryl Acton Pushes to Ban Open Carry on College Campuses (Savage) Utah Republican Representative Cheryl Acton has introduced House Bill 431 to prohibit the open carry of firearms on the campuses of public colleges and universities in the state. The bill targets loaded firearms visible to others, aiming to enhance campus safety amid concerns over gun violence. It applies specifically to institutions under the Utah Board of Higher Education. Tumbler Ridge Shooting Highlights Gun Control Arguments (Bearing Arms Analysis) (Savage) The article analyzes a shooting incident in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, where a man used a restricted firearm to kill two people before being stopped by an armed civilian. It critiques how gun control advocates exploit such tragedies to push for stricter laws despite existing severe restrictions on firearms in Canada. The piece argues that the incident demonstrates the consistent pattern of gun control arguments relying on emotional appeals rather than evidence of effectiveness. Bearing Arms: Reason Transgender Gun Ban Proposal Won't Advance (Savage) The article discusses a proposed federal rule by the Biden administration to prohibit firearm purchases by individuals with gender transition-related medical diagnoses, such as gender dysphoria. It argues the rule faces significant legal and political hurdles, including likely injunctions from courts that have blocked similar ATF actions. The author asserts it lacks momentum and is destined to fail. Shooting News Weekly Critique of Evidence-Free Claims on Guns and Public Safety Conflict (Savage) The article criticizes a purported expert's assertion of a conflict between concealed carry and public safety, labeling it as evidence-free hackery. It argues that such claims lack empirical support and misrepresent data on concealed carry impacts. The piece defends concealed carry by highlighting the absence of credible evidence linking it to increased public safety risks. New Mexico House Bill 86 (HB 86) Sweeping Gun Control Measure Scheduled for Hearing (Savage) New Mexico's House Bill 86 proposes comprehensive gun control measures including bans on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and ghost guns, along with red flag laws and restrictions on open carry. The bill is set for a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on February 17, 2026. Sponsored by Rep. Rehm, it aims to address gun violence through multiple regulatory changes. REVIEWS Review: Jaqin Ta'Sox from Connecticut From; Jaqin Ta'Sox: Review I still think y'all are gay. But, regarding ep 647. I agree with Jerambay, 99%. I agree with Shawn as far as the narrative being twisted, disagree with most of his thoughts on the agents. Everyone who can legally carry should be able carry everywhere, full stop. The narrative of him carrying a 320 with spare mags to “cause chaos” is BS. The difference in Rittenhouse and the Minisota Nut, is in their choices. Rittenhouse didn't look for danger, danger found him, he ran away, then defended himself. Minisota nut, put himself in the middle of a wave of insanity. Had he gave the agents a buffer, he could've yelled and cursed all he wanted. Tragic, but justified.   Review: From Jeff E Comment only. Liberals are the biggest fucking idiots. They try to tell us how Trump is a dick tator, while they do everything in their power to dismantle the Constitution, specifically 2A. The very things that were setup to limit government, not to limit us. Sadly, they don't teach this in school anymore, (about Constitution limiting government). While like in Illinois they call our politicians “lawmakers”, when they should be called servants. Jeff E Five Squares Review: Anonymous Coward from Pennsylvania Anonymous Coward from Under My Desk Great show. Worth five squares. Ask me about my weiner. Before we let you go – JOIN GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA We'd love if you supported the show, join Agency 171 at agency171.com. Lot's of prizes, rewards and kick ass swag. No matter how tough your battle is today, we want you here fight with us tomorrow. Don't struggle in silence, you can contact the suicide prevention line by dialing 988 from your phone. Remember – Always prefer Dangerous Freedom over peaceful slavery. We'll see you next time! Nick – @busbuiltsystems | Bus Built Systems Jeremy – @ret_actual | Rivers Edge Tactical Aaron – @machinegun_moses Savage – @savage1r Shawn – @dangerousfreedomyt | @camorado.cam | Camorado

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we share what's actually necessary when updating your Notice of Privacy Practices due to Part 2. We discuss: The confusion around updating NPPs without an updated model from HHS A quick refresher on Part 2 Who is considered a lawful holder under Part 2 Next steps for updating your NPP if you are a Part 2 program or lawful holder Our free resource on updating your NPP before the 2/16 enforcement deadline Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/ For more, visit our website. PCT Resources PCT Free Resource: 42 CFR Part 2 & HIPAA Notices of Privacy Practices: A Decision Guide and Sample Language for Covered Entities a practical resource designed to help HIPAA-covered practices determine whether the updated 42 CFR Part 2 rules apply to them — and, if so, what belongs in their Notice of Privacy Practices. The guide includes a clear decision flow, plain-language explanations of Part 2 program vs. lawful holder obligations, and sample NPP language tailored to each category. It was created to fill the gap left by the absence of an updated HHS model NPP following the 2024 Part 2 Final Rule. Resources HHS Fact Sheet on the 42 CFR Part 2 Final Rule this HHS Fact Sheet summarizes the 2024 Final Rule updating 42 CFR Part 2, including new consent provisions, redisclosure alignment with HIPAA, enforcement changes, and the February 16, 2026 compliance deadline. It provides high-level regulatory context for healthcare organizations handling substance use disorder records. JD Supra Article: 42 CFR Part 2 and Privacy Rule Compliance: Action Required by February 16, 2026 This JD Supra article from Snell & Wilmer outlines the compliance steps healthcare organizations must take in response to the 2024 Final Rule updating 42 CFR Part 2. It explains which entities are required to update their Notices of Privacy Practices by February 16, 2026, including both Part 2 programs and HIPAA-covered entities that receive or maintain Part 2-protected records. The article highlights required NPP updates, enforcement risks, and the importance of aligning privacy notices with the amended regulations.

*Content Warning: sexual violence, stalking, on-campus violence, intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, stalking, rape, and sexual assault.*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources   Check out our brand new SWW Sticker Shop!: https://brokencyclemedia.com/sticker-shop *SWW S25 Theme Song & Artwork: The S25 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart instagram.com/okaynotgreat/ The S25 theme song is a cover of Glad Rag's U Think U from their album Wonder Under, performed by the incredible Abayomi instagram.com/Abayomithesinger. The S25 theme song cover was produced by Janice “JP” Pacheco instagram.com/jtooswavy/  Follow Something Was Wrong: Website: somethingwaswrong.com  IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast  Follow Tiffany Reese: Website: tiffanyreese.me  IG: instagram.com/lookieboo *Sources:Association of American Universities. 2019 AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct. Association of American Universities, 2019, www.aau.edu/key-issues/aau-campus-climate-survey-sexual-assault-and-misconduct. “The Story.” The Hunting Ground, 27 Feb. 2015, thehuntinggroundfilm.com/story.html. U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations: Adults/Adolescents. U.S. Department of Justice, 2013, updated 2023, www.justice.gov/ovw/sexual-assault-medical-forensic-examinations. U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Rape and Sexual Assault Victimization Among College-Age Females, 1995–2013. U.S. Department of Justice, Dec. 2014, www.bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/rsavcaf9513.pdf. U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Final Rule. Federal Register, 6 May 2020, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/19/2020-10512.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has finalized the 2026 Outpatient Perspective Payment System (OPPS) rule, with most policies taking effect on January 1, 2026. Jenna Stern, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy at Vizient, joins host Carolyn Liptak, Pharmacy Executive Director in Vizient's Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence, to discuss key updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions affecting Medicare beneficiaries receiving care in hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers.   Guest speaker:    Jenna Stern Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy Vizient Host:   Carolyn Liptak, MBA, RPh  Pharmacy Executive Director Vizient  Verified Rx Host   Show Notes: 00:05 — Introduction Announcer welcomes listeners to VerifiedRx. Host Carolyn Liptak, Pharmacy Executive Director at Vizient, introduces the episode focus: the 2026 CMS Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Final Rule. Guest: Jenna Stern, VP of Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy at Vizient.   01:12 — Overview of the OPPS Final Rule OPPS sets Medicare payment for most hospital outpatient services. Published annually (typically November), effective January 1. Covers payment rates, policies, quality programs, and compliance requirements. Note: CMS delayed enforcement of hospital price transparency requirements until April 1, 2026.   01:34 — Key Takeaways From the 2026 Final Rule Jenna's high-level insights: Hospitals will continue facing financial pressure in 2026. Modest payment rate increase combined with reimbursement-reducing policies. Expansion of site-neutral payment policies will be particularly impactful. Rule reflects emerging administration priorities shaping future policy.   02:21 — OPPS Payment Rate Update for 2026 CMS finalized a 2.6% OPPS schedule increase factor for hospitals meeting quality reporting requirements.   02:40 — What the 2.6% Increase means Based on: 3% market basket update –0.7% productivity adjustment Results in a modest net increase. Slightly better than the proposed 2.4% increase, though still viewed as inadequate. CMS estimates $8 billion increase in total OPPS payments compared to 2025.   03:37 — 340B Remedy Offset: Background From 2018–2022, CMS paid for 340B drugs at ASP –22.5%. Prior Supreme Court decision from 2022 found that CMS lacked authority to vary rates as finalized in prior rulemaking (e.g., without using drug acquisition cost surveys to inform policy).   04:13 — 340B Remedy Offset in the 2026 Final Rule CMS considered increasing the remedy offset from 0.5% to 2%. Stakeholders strongly opposed the increase due to hospital financial strain.   05:10 — Final Outcome CMS retained the 0.5% offset for 2026. CMS signaled that larger offsets may be proposed for 2027. This marks the first year the remedy offset takes effect,   06:00 — Site-Neutral Payment Policy: What It Is Concept: same service = same payment, regardless of site of care. Hospital concern: policy reduces hospital reimbursement without accounting for site of care differences, patient acuity, overhead, or service complexity.   06:15 — Site-Neutral Expansion in the 2026 Rule CMS expanded site-neutral payment to include drug administration services at excepted off-campus provider-based departments.   07:08 — Financial Impact Reimbursement aligns with Physician Fee Schedule rates. CMS estimates $290 million reduction in outpatient spending for 2026. $220 million of savings accrue directly to Medicare. Not implemented in a budget-neutral manner.   08:14 — Non-Opioid Pain Management Payments Temporary additional payments began January 1, 2025. Authorized under the NO PAIN Act (Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023).   08:28 — What's New for 2026 CMS finalized the renewal of: 5 drugs 13 medical devices eligible for separate payment in HOPD and ASC settings. Per statue, payments available through December 31, 2027.   09:32 — Process Improvements CMS will allow more frequent consideration of new qualifying products (not limited to annual updates). Quality criteria unchanged; timing flexibility added. CMS released guidance on how stakeholders can engage for inclusion.   10:58 — OPPS Drug Acquisition Cost Survey CMS finalized plans to survey hospitals on acquisition costs for separately payable OPPS drugs.   11:21 — Why CMS Is Advancing the Survey Addresses Supreme Court requirements from prior 340B litigation. Aligns with White House Executive Order on lowering drug prices. Positions CMS to use survey data for 2027 rulemaking.   12:47 — OPPS Packaging Thresholds for 2026 Drugs and biologics: Threshold remains at $140. Diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals: Increased to $655 (from $630). Products below thresholds retain Status Indicator “N” (packaged payment).   13:26 — Why Billing Packaged Drugs Still Matters Even though not separately payable, hospitals must bill for packaged drugs. Billing data feeds cost reports used to calculate future bundled payments. Failure to bill can result in inaccurately low reimbursement.   14:14 — Elimination of the Inpatient-Only (IPO) List CMS finalized a three-year transition to eliminate the IPO list by January 1, 2029.   14:32 — Why This Change Is Significant IPO list historically ensured certain services were provided inpatient only. CMS emphasizes provider judgment in determining site of care. Raises concerns about: Patient safety Payer coverage changes Pressure to move services outpatient   16:28 — ASC Covered Procedure List Expansion CMS expanded the ASC Covered Procedure List. Enables more Medicare covered services to be performed in the ASC settings.   16:48 — Price Transparency: Still a Priority No major overhaul, but continued refinement. CMS exploring new uses of price transparency data beyond patient comparison.   17:46 — Most Critical Policies to Watch Jenna highlights: Modest OPPS payment increase Site-neutral payment expansion 340B remedy offset Drug acquisition cost survey Broader regulatory activity beyond OPPS   18:43 — Available Vizient Resources OPPS Final Rule Summary Government Relations & Public Policy Summaries  Advocacy   19:20 — Closing Carolyn thanks Jenna for her insights. Reminder to subscribe, like, and share feedback. VerifiedRx is produced by the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence.   Links | Resources:  Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems; Quality Reporting Programs; Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating; Hospital Price Transparency; and Notice of Closure of a Teaching Hospital and Opportunity To Apply for Available Slots: Click Here CMS fact sheet on the Final Rule: Click Here Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Drug Acquisition Cost Survey: Click Here Vizient Office of Public Policy and Government Relations final rule summary:  Click Here Final List of Qualifying Products for Separate Payment for non-opioid pain medications: (Table 136, pgs. 1138-1140)   VerifiedRx Listener Feedback Survey: We would love to hear from you - Please click here   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube RSS Feed    

In this episode, Bob McDowell, BESLER Sr. Reimbursement Consultant, provides a glimpse into BESLER's next free Webinar, CY 2026 OPPS Final Rule Summary, live on Wednesday, January 14, at 1 PM ET.

Terry kicks off 2026 by clearing up a major misunderstanding in the provider and manufacturer community. Some believed that CMS's last‑minute withdrawal of the LCD for skin substitute products would delay or stop the 2026 reimbursement changes. That's not the case. The LCD withdrawal has no impact on the Final Rule, and the new 2026 reimbursement methodology for skin substitutes will move forward exactly as finalized, using an incident‑to payment structure. In this episode, Terry breaks down the difference between the policy halt and the reimbursement rules, and explains what providers need to know about the updated approach to skin substitutes and skin graft products and services. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/codecast-medical-billing-coding-insights/id1305926627 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/1lA69Q7EnjSMuVr3sXVWlX TuneIn – https://tunein.com/radio/CodeCast–Medical-Billing-p1056702/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoNm5vs6PFMIEDa5Undidlg YouTube Music – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ8tk23yZroZslhtTVe-PEIjQsAoJZJIQ Pandora – https://www.pandora.com/podcast/codecast-medical-billing-and-coding-insights/PC:1000156874 Amazon Podcasts – https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c9d8dc99-fced-45a2-82b4-0efdf144c897/CodeCast-Medical-Billing-and-Coding-Insights iHeart Radio – https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-codecast-medical-billing-a-31135434/ The post Skin Substitutes and Grafts LCD vs Reimbursement 2026 appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..

As home health agencies prepare for 2026, CMS is turning up the heat on fraud, compliance, and enforcement—and the consequences are more serious than ever.In this episode of Gravity Healthcare Hacks, host Melissa Brown, COO of Gravity Healthcare Consulting, is joined by Devin Kassi, VP of Home Health Operations, for a critical follow-up discussion on the Home Health Final Rule. This time, they dive deep into Medicare's expanded authority around fraud investigations, retroactive payment recoupment, and why even unintentional missteps can put agencies at risk.Melissa and Devin unpack:How CMS is redefining and enforcing fraudWhy documentation errors can trigger massive repayment demandsThe growing importance of homebound status documentationHow weak processes, outdated technology, and lack of education create dangerous blind spotsWhat agencies must do now to protect themselves and remain viableThis conversation is a must-listen for home health leaders—especially smaller and single-location agencies—who want to understand what's coming and how to adapt before it's too late.Because in today's regulatory environment, doing nothing is the biggest risk of all.Support the show

We break down the 2026 home health final rule, from the 1.3 percent cut and sequestration impact to face-to-face, OASIS, HHCAHPS, and value-based purchasing changes. We share concrete steps to shore up documentation, data, and budgets before January 1, 2026.• Why the final rule timing compresses preparation• Payment impact of the 1.3 percent cut plus sequestration• What changes in face-to-face encounter responsibility and proof• Aligning COPs with the all-payer OASIS requirement• How HHCAHPS and OASIS items are being revised• What new and removed VBP measures mean operationally• Anti-fraud signals in enrollment and oversight• Practical actions to update policies, analytics, and training• Resources to read and where to find deeper summariesWe did present and post two very detailed summaries with the highlights of the home health content as well as the DME content on our websiteVisit our websiteConnect with us - LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, FacebookMake Lives Better

We unpack the 2026 CMS DME final rule with an eye on what changes first, what it costs, and how suppliers can adapt without disrupting patient care. Annual surveys, stricter accreditation oversight, and targeted incentives reshape strategy, budgets, and daily operations.• Annual surveys begin at next initial or reaccreditation after 1 January 2026• Elimination of temporary accreditation before surveying new service locations• CHOW events may trigger initial surveys and start annual cadence• Prior authorization exemption for suppliers maintaining 90% approval• Added products and remote item delivery in competitive bidding• Increased CMS validation, AO reapproval, and continued sampling• Faster complaint reporting and more granular data submission• Clear rationale required when accepting corrective action plans• Address changes and warehouse functions require survey planning• Practical steps for budgeting, staffing, and strategic footprint decisionsRead the final rule. Listen to industry webinars and review our resources to understand the key elements and direct impact on suppliers.Visit our websiteConnect with us - LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, FacebookMake Lives Better

In this episode of the ASC Podcast with John Goehle we discuss the latest news, including the delay in the Pre-authorization pilot and Anthem's new policy on out-of-network providers.   In our focus segment we discuss the final 2026 CMS ASC/HOPD Payment Rule    This episode is sponsored by Surgical Information Systems, RFX Solutions, Medserve and  Ambulatory Healthcare Strategies.  Notes and Resources from this Episode: Final Rule: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-20907.pdf Press Release about Final Rule: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-empowers-patients-boosts-transparency-modernizing-hospital-payments Fact Sheet about Final Rule: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-2026-hospital-outpatient-prospective-payment-system-opps-ambulatory-surgical-center Downloads for the Final Rule: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/prospective-payment-systems/hospital-outpatient/regulations-notices/cms-1834-fc ASC Quality Reporting web site: https://www.qualityreportingcenter.com/en/ascqr-program/ ASC Association Web Site (Join to get more information): http://ascassociation.org INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASC PODCAST WITH JOHN GOEHLE ASC Central, a sister site to http://ascpodcast.com provides a link to all of our bootcamps, educational programs and membership programs! https://conferences.asc-central.com/ Join one of our Membership Programs! Our Patron Program: Patron Members of the ASC Podcast with John Goehle have access to ASC Central - an exclusive membership website that provides a one-stop  ASC Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance, Operations and Financial Management resource for busy Administrators, nurse managers and business office managers.  More information and Become Member The ASC-Central Premium Access Program A Premium Resource for Ambulatory Surgery Centers including access to bootcamps, education programs and private sessions More Information and Become a Premium Access Program Members Today! Important Resources for ASCs: Conditions for Coverage: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=42:3.0.1.1.3&idno=42#se42.3.416_150 Infection Control Survey Tool (Used by Surveyors for Infection Control) https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107_exhibit_351.pdf Updated Guidance for Ambulatory Surgical Centers - Appendix L of the State Operations Manual (SOM) https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_l_ambulatory.pdf https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/updated-guidance-ambulatory-surgical-centers-appendix-l-state-operations-manual-som Policy & Memos to States and Regions CMS Quality Safety & Oversight memoranda, guidance, clarifications and instructions to State Survey Agencies and CMS Regional Offices. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Policy-and-Memos-to-States-and-Regions Other Resources from the ASC Podcast with John Goehle: Visit the ASC Podcast with John Goehle Website Books by John Goehle Get a copy of John's most popular book - The Survey Guide - A Guide to the CMS Conditions for Coverage & Interpretive Guidelines for Ambulatory Surgery Centers 

This week in the Breakroom, Deborah Godes and Marla Kugel join Julia Grabo to explore key policies in the recently released CY 2026 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Service Center Payment System final rule.

In this episode, Greg and Rob catch up on some clarifications gained around the upcoming 340B rebate model, including purchasing requirements and developments with select chain retail pharmacies updating their policies. Additionally, they discuss the CMS CY2026 OPPS final rule that was just published, including potential implications for 340B hospitals. CMS Hospital Drug Acquisition Cost Survey Info: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/prospective-payment-systems/hospital-outpatient-pps/outpatient-prospective-payment-system-opps-drug-acquisition-cost-survey Come see us at booth #1545 at the ASHP Clinical Midyear Meeting December 8-11 in Las Vegas!

The 2026 Home Health Final Rule is late—but the impact is already here. In this episode, Melissa Brown (COO) sits down with Devin Kassi, Gravity's VP of Home Health Operations, to break down what agencies should be doing right now to prepare for payment cuts, VBP changes, and rising operational demands.Together they unpack:What a 3–6% payment reduction really means for agency sustainabilityWhy your EMR might be costing you more than it's saving youHow AI-driven clean claims, documentation support, and automated intake can reduce labor needs and boost marginsThe organizational restructuring every agency should be evaluating before 2026How to prepare for the proposed Value-Based Purchasing changes—especially new OASIS measures for bathing and dressingWhy recurring training, ongoing Oasis auditing, and external quality support are now essentialPractical, actionable steps to future-proof your operations before the Final Rule arrivesThis is Part 1 of a two-part conversation designed to give home health leaders a roadmap for navigating reimbursement cuts without compromising care or burning out their teams.Because in today's environment, survival isn't about what you know—it's about how fast you can adapt.Support the show

Explore the essential updates from the official CMS Fact Sheet on the 2026 Home Health Final Rule in this episode of Home Health Revealed, hosted by Hannah Vale. This episode breaks down what the CMS rule means for home health agencies, covering payment changes, compliance updates, and care quality adjustments. Key highlights include: A 2.4% market payment update, offset by adjustments, resulting in an overall 1.3% reduction in Medicare payments to home health agencies. Recalibrated PDGM case-mix weights and updated LUPA thresholds, changing how agencies need to plan visits and document care. Important changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (QRP), including removal of the COVID-19 vaccination measure, as well as updates to OASIS data elements. The launch of a revised Home Health CAHPS survey, new value-based purchasing measures, and changes in quality measure weightings. New compliance provisions and revised provider enrollment rules designed to ensure program integrity and fight fraud. Whether you're an agency leader, clinician, or RCM professional, this episode provides everything you need to know direct from CMS guidance to keep your agency compliant, competitive, and prepared for 2026. Don't miss Hannah's expert take and practical tips for navigating the year's most important regulatory updates. Like, share, and subscribe for more insights on home health policy, revenue cycle optimization, and industry trends. #HomeHealthRevealed #CMSFinalRule #HomeHealth2026 Chapters (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed(00:00:36) - CMS Final Rules for Home Health Services (2026)(00:03:28) - CMS Final Rule 1, Home Health Payment Rates(00:05:47) - CMS Rule 6, Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HHQ(00:12:36) - CMS Final Rule 2026 for DME POS

https://curewounds.com/Discover how the CMS Final Rule for 2026 will reshape Medicare coverage for chronic wound care, potentially limiting access to life-saving treatments for millions of seniors and introducing mandatory waiting periods that could dramatically affect healing outcomes. KureCare a division of Veracor Group LLC City: Miami Address: 1150 NW 72ND AVE Website: https://curewounds.com

By early 2026, substance use disorder (SUD) providers, health plans, clinicians, health information exchanges (HIEs), and vendors must meet new federal privacy standards for SUD treatment records or face Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-level enforcement and penalties. On this episode, Epstein Becker Green attorneys Lisa Pierce Reisz, David Shillcutt, and Laura DePonio join Nichole Sweeney, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer at CRISP, to break down the 42 CFR Part 2 final rule: what's changing, what's staying the same, and what organizations often miss. The group explains how the final rule aligns with (but does not replace) HIPAA, why patient consent remains central, and what new operational risks are emerging. Key Takeaways: Adoption of HIPAA Penalties: Part 2 now adopts HIPAA's enforcement and penalty structure. Operational Readiness Challenges: Operational readiness, not technology, is the biggest challenge. Expanded Compliance Duties: Payors and HIEs face major shifts in data access and compliance duties. Visit our site for related resources and email contact information: https://www.ebglaw.com/dhc91. Subscribe for email notifications: https://www.ebglaw.com/subscribe. Visit: http://diagnosinghealthcare.com. This podcast is presented by Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. All rights are reserved. This audio recording includes information about legal issues and legal developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances, and these materials are not a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. The content reflects the personal views and opinions of the participants. No attorney-client relationship has been created by this audio recording. This audio recording may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

This week in the Breakroom, Jeffrey Davis and Rachel Hollander join Erin Fuller to break down major payment policies in the CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule.

Welcome to the Paint The Medical Picture Podcast, created and hosted by Sonal Patel, CPMA, CPC, CMC, ICD-10-CM.Thanks to all of you for making this a Top 15 Podcast for 5 Years: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blog.feedspot.com/medical_billing_and_coding_podcasts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sonal's 16th Season starts up and Episode 10 features a Newsworthy spotlight on November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month.Sonal's Trusty Tip and compliance recommendations focus on telehealth updates made in the CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule. Spark inspires us all to reflect on resilience based on the inspirational words of Margaret Thatcher.Lung Cancer Awareness Month:American Lung Association® Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lung.org/lung-force/about-lung-force/featured-campaigns/lung-cancer-awareness-month⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint The Medical Picture Podcast now on:Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6hcJAHHrqNLo9UmKtqRP3X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paint-the-medical-picture-podcast/id153044217⁠7⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bc6146d7-3d30-4b73-ae7f-d77d6046fe6a/paint-the-medical-picture-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find Paint The Medical Picture Podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzNUxmYdIU_U8I5hP91Kk7A⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find Sonal on LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonapate/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠And checkout the website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paintthemedicalpicturepodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you'd like to be a sponsor of the Paint The Medical Picture Podcast series, please contact Sonal directly for pricing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PaintTheMedicalPicturePodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kathy Roe, Managing Attorney, Health Law Consultancy, speaks with Annie Shieh and Judith Waltz, Partner, Foley & Lardner, about the impact of recent changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) compliance on plans and providers. They discuss what plans and providers are responsible for when it comes to MA compliance, the current MA landscape, MA compliance changes from a plans perspective (including the current Administration and the 2026 Final Rule), MA compliance changes from a provider perspective (including the 60-day refund rule and recent litigation), and administrative enforcement actions. Annie and Judith spoke about this topic at AHLA's 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. From AHLA's Payers, Plans, and Managed Care Practice Group.Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjRzb0UiNuYLearn more about the AHLA 2025 Annual Meeting that took place in San Diego, CA: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/annualmeeting Learn more about AHLA's 2025 Annual Meeting eProgram: https://educate.americanhealthlaw.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=1472 Learn more about AHLA's Payers, Plans, and Managed Care Practice Group: https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/practice-groups/practice-groups/payers-plans-and-managed-careEssential Legal Updates, Now in Audio AHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Premium members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast. Stay At the Forefront of Health Legal Education Learn more about AHLA and the educational resources available to the health law community at https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/.

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we have an important update for therapists regarding the reproductive health Final Rule.  We discuss: The Final Rule requirements that would have impacted therapists Why the Final Rule isn't applicable now Being aware of any state laws that are applicable regarding reproductive health information Intentionality and care around sensitive info within PHI Our CE training on Law and Ethics of Clinical Documentation in a Post-Roe World Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/ For more, visit our website. PCT Resources Relevant on-demand, legal-ethical CE training: Law & Ethics of Clinical Documentation for a post Roe world Addresses the practical applications of the US Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, with particular focus on the impacts this decision has on client confidentiality and documentation of clinical services Group Practice Care Premium weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours -- including monthly session with therapist attorney Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC Resources & References HHS OCR Fact Sheet – HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy (Final Rule Overview) JD SUPRA Article: Federal Court Strikes Down HIPAA Reproductive Health Privacy Rule Lifting Compliance Requirements for Regulated Entities Court Case – Purl v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, No. 2:24-cv-228-Z (N.D. Tex. June 18, 2025) (decision vacating most of the Final Rule) Legal Analysis – Holland & Knight: HIPAA's Reproductive Health Rule is Vacated Nationally Law Firm Compliance Guidance – Ropes & Gray: U.S. District Court Ruling Vacates HIPAA Final Rule on Reproductive Health Privacy

Recently, a federal court vacated the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2023 Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) Final Rule.This action is reshaping the landscape for Medicare Advantage compliance. The rule had authorized contract-level extrapolation and eliminated the longstanding fee-for-service (FFS) adjuster — two changes that dramatically increased the potential scale of overpayment recoveries.Reporting this developing story during the next live edition of Monitor Monday will be senior healthcare analyst Frank Cohen,The weekly broadcast will also include these instantly recognizable features:• Monday Rounds: Ronald Hirsch, MD, vice president of R1 RCM, will be making his Monday Rounds.• The RAC Report: Healthcare attorney Knicole Emanuel, partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins, will report the latest news about auditors.• Risky Business: Healthcare attorney David Glaser, shareholder in the law offices of Fredrikson & Byron, will join the broadcast with his trademark segment.• Legislative Update: Adam Brenman, senior legislative affairs analyst for Zelis, will report on the news happening at the intersection of healthcare and congressional action.

CMS's FY 2026 hospice final rule introduces significant changes to the face-to-face (F2F) attestation requirements starting October 1, 2025. All in all, the news is positive: while there is a new requirement for the F2F attestation to be signed and dated, the signed and dated F2F clinical note on its own can now serve as the F2F attestation. In this episode, Husch Blackwell attorneys Meg Pekarske and Andrew Brenton share their thoughts on what the updated F2F attestation rules mean for hospice operators and weigh in on other components of the final rule, including CMS's attempt at housekeeping by clarifying the types of hospice physicians who can certify patients.

The Office of Personnel Management is trying to nix the idea that everybody gets an A in the Senior Executive Service agencies will soon have to limit how many executives can earn top marks on their performance evaluations. A new Final Rule has paved the way for using a forced distribution system to review SES members. Here with more details is Federal News Network's Drew Friedman. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon has published the final acquisition rule implementing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. The rule, released in yesterday's Federal Register will allow Defense Department procurements to include CMMC assessment requirements. The assessments are intended to ensure defense contractors are following cybersecurity standards for protecting controlled unclassified information. The Pentagon estimates 80,000 defense contractors may be required to obtain a CMMC assessment. Officials plan to phase in the requirements over a three-year period. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we clarify who is impacted by the Part 2 Final Rule. We discuss: What's included in the Part 2 Final Rule and why it's necessary How to evaluate if you're subject to Part 2 rules  What compliance looks like under the new Part 2 rules Redisclosure under Part 2 Steps to take ahead of the February 2026 deadline for enforcement Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/ For more, visit our website.   PCT Resources: Handout resource: A quick-reference tool to determine if you're a Part 2 program, lawful holder, or not subject—and a concise summary of the new redisclosure rules under the 2024 Final Rule. Helps you prep for the Feb 16, 2026 compliance deadline with clarity and confidence. Part 2 Decision Tree Checklist + Redisclosure Rules (docx version) Part 2 Decision Tree Checklist + Redisclosure Rules (PDF version) Group Practice Care Premium weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours -- including monthly session with therapist attorney Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more Resources: JD Supra article: HHS Signals Enforcement Regarding Patients' Substance Use Disorder Treatment Records

CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) has released the Fiscal Year 2026 Final Rule for hospital and long-term care payments, and it brings important updates for quality reporting, interoperability, and compliance.Learn what's changing, from the end of the low wage index hospital policy to adjustments in reporting programs, and new expectations under the Promoting Interoperability Program. We'll also highlight why the Security Risk Analysis is taking on an even more central role.Whether you're directly affected or just want to understand where policy is headed, this episode offers a clear look at the changes and how hospitals can prepare.Learn more about Medcurity here: https://medcurity.com#Healthcare #Cybersecurity #Compliance #HIPAA #SecurityRiskAnalysis #Medicare #Medicaid #CMS 

The Friday Five for August 29, 2025: Ritter Summits Takeaways & Shoutouts What I'm Watching Right Now Apple “Awe Dropping” Event Announced Spotify Slips Into the DMs Judge Grants Stay on Many 2025 ACA Final Rule Provisions   Get Connected:

Gain access to Everything Senior Insurance: https://eseniorinsurance.com/On this episode of the Seven Figures or Bust podcast, we break down the conclusion of the 2024 Final Rule court case. We discuss what the outcome means for agents, agencies, and the industry as a whole. Tune in to hear key takeaways and insights that could impact your business moving forward!Learn more about getting your own VA with Hire Heroes here: https://app.hireheroes.com/signup?fpr=christian43Join our free private Facebook group for insurance agents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/551409828919739/Learn more about getting your own VA with Hire Heroes here:  https://app.hireheroes.com/signup?fpr=christian43Get access now to 7 Figure Medicare University:Lifetime access:https://sevenfigureu.com/                    Welcome to the Christian Brindle channel brought to you by Christian Brindle & Christian Brindle Insurance Services. This channel is here for the sole purpose of bringing training, tips, success stories, and personal development from Christian Brindle. Christian is a published author, hosts the ever popular Everything Medicare Podcast, and made six figures in the Medicare business by the time he was 25 years old.

The MOSAIC final rule, an interview with the founder and CEO of Flying Eyes Optics, FAA guidance on certification of powered lift vehicles, new galleries opening at the National Air and Space Museum, a Delta pilot lands and gets immediately arrested, deer strikes in Alaska, and the NTSB investigation of a fatal flight in that state. Also, thoughts on recent moves to relocate the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum to Space Center Houston. Guest Dean Siracusa Dean Siracusa is the founder and CEO of Flying Eyes Optics. Dean, a pilot, started the company when he realized that existing sunglasses did not perform well with the increased clamping force of modern aviation headsets. Flying Eyes temples are made of a patented material that allows the temples to conform to your head instead of curving around your ears. They're easy to put on and take off while wearing a headset or helmet. The flexibility of the temple material and shatterproof polycarbonate lenses makes these glasses hard to break. Hillel Glazer, our Aviation Innovation and Entrepreneurship Correspondent, interviewed Dean at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025. Aviation News U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces Improvements to Recreational Aviation Safety, Expansion of Light-Sport Sector The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) final rule was announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. The new rule makes changes to the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category and Sport Pilot privileges by expanding an alternative to experimental amateur-built aircraft. MOSAIC: Removes the weight limit Encompasses aircraft with higher speeds, more seats, and retractable landing gear.  Allows for new types of propulsion and modern avionics. Allows aerial work with LSA, such as infrastructure and forest inspections, photography/filming, and agricultural surveillance. Allows pilots operating under Sport Pilot privileges to fly a broader range of aircraft. Reduces regulatory requirements by expanding the types of aircraft that qualify as LSA and the types of aircraft pilots can fly under Sport Pilot privileges. Changes for sport pilots and light-sport repairmen take effect 90 days after the final rule publishes. Changes for LSA certification take effect 365 days after the final rule publishes. Video: Secretary Sean P. Duffy Holds Press Conference for Important Announcement on General Aviation https://www.youtube.com/live/iRzzTspdjUM?si=gje-ftiRm94Y2eY4 EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2025 Facts and Figures Attendance for the week: approximately 704,000, the highest on record. More than 10,000 aircraft, 2,543 show planes, nearly 6,000 volunteers, and 962 commercial exhibitors. FAA Releases Powered-Lift Certification Guidance Originally, certification of the new advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft types, such as eVTOLs, had been worked under Part 23 regulations for light aircraft. In 2022, the FAA categorized them as powered-lift under FAR 21.17(b) regulations for special class aircraft. That category had no airworthiness standards and operating rules. The FAA has now released an advisory circular “streamlining the certification process for advanced air mobility aircraft by releasing guidance for how manufacturers can meet the agency's aircraft design and performance safety standards. It establishes a consistent, performance-based framework for manufacturers to follow.  The FAA will carefully evaluate each proposed design to ensure it meets the agency's rigorous standards.” The AC defines powered-lift as heavier-than-air aircraft that use “engine-driven lift devices” or engine thrust for vertical takeoff and landing and low-speed flight. For lift during horizontal flight, they use rigid airfoils such as wings. National Air and Space Museum Opens Five New Galleries July 28 [2025] The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum opened five ...

In this episode of The Broker Link, Josh Slattery dives into the 2026 Final Rule and its impact on the health insurance landscape. While this year's changes are more modest compared to previous updates, several important developments were discussed: GLP-1 Coverage & Debit Card Rules: Proposed changes to expand GLP-1 drug coverage for obesity and revise flex debit card use were not included in the final rule. SSA Qualification Process: The process for Medicare Special Enrollment Periods is now more complex, requiring verification from past claims or providers. Part D Risk Adjustment: Updates were made to help stabilize the Part D market amid growing cost pressures. Medicaid Impacts: The “Big Beautiful Bill” introduced major changes, including work requirements and stricter eligibility limits for Medicaid beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage Update: Penetration rates have reached 53%, but 6% of enrollees faced plan terminations this year. Josh also shares insights on the current regulatory climate, market volatility, and what agents should watch for as policy changes continue to evolve. Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com. Remember to like, share, and subscribe to our show!  New episodes are available every Tuesday. Join our Community! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-brokerage-inc-/   Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thebrokerageinc/  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thebrokerageinc/  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrokerageIncTexas  Website:  https://thebrokerageinc.com/