Montana received $3 billion from 55 federal programs that used census data in 2016 Medicare, making up the biggest chunk and in 2017, it was 5% of personal income. Research Professor Andrew Reamer notes if communities were undercounted in the 2020 Census and the state gets less money as a result the funds don’t go back to the Treasury. They ar...
State Hospital Loses Federal Funding
In a letter Friday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the Montana State Hospital will lose its federal reimbursement funding Tuesday after repeated failures to meet standard health and safety conditions. The letter to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services noted payments may continue for 30 calendar days f...
Federal Court Blocks State Law Banning Vaccine Mandates
Health care facilities and individual practitioners and clinics can mandate vaccines. Friday, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy blocked the state from enforcing Montana’s House Bill 702 passed into law in 2021. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services requires them to ensure their staffs are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or the...
Rural Hospitals May See Reduced Funding For Medicare This Year
When the pandemic hit rural hospitals already on the brink of closing were spared by an infusion of government money. It was a buffer then. This summer though, Medicare reimbursements will likely be reduced. That’s according to Michael DoCheck with the Charter Center for Rural Health.
Emergency Federal Funding Provided Temporary Relief For Rural Hospitals
When the coronavirus pandemic hit rural hospitals, including some in Montana, already on the brink of closing were spared by an infusion of government money. The money was a buffer, but Medicare reimbursements will likely be reduced this summer. Significant hospital closures may be avoided this year, but nursing shortages increase the risk for...
Medicare Enrollees To Receive Access To Monthly Rapid COVID Tests
Medicare will provide up to eight free over the counter COVID rapid tests a month to enrolled seniors with the “Part B” outpatient benefit early this spring. They will also be available to people with Medicare Advantage. The at-home tests will be available at pharmacies and other locations. The Associated Press reports this will be...
DPHHS Issues Guidance for Health Care Facilities & Providers For Federal Mandate
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has issued guidance for state health care facilities and providers with respect to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services COVID-19 vaccine mandate. It requires Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities to establish a policy ensuring that all covered staff have been vaccin...
Montana Hospital Association Issues Statement On Federal Vaccine Injunction
The Montana Hospital Association has affirmed the state’s ban on workplace vaccine mandates is back to being the law of the land for health providers after federal immunization requirements for health workers were paused nationwide by a federal judge Tuesday. In October the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid had issued requirements that r...
Congressman Rosendale Introduces Bill Calling For Medicare and Medicaid Transparency
Through a federal program called 340B, hospitals and medical facilities that dispense prescription drugs can get steep price discounts from manufacturers for drugs sold to patients covered by federal health-insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. A bill introduced earlier this month by Representative Matt Rosendale would require hosp...
Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Facilities Exempt From New State Vaccine Law
It’s cold and flu season and on top of the ongoing pandemic people are focusing on who is required to get their COVID-19 vaccine and who isn’t. Montana’s House Bill 702 became law earlier this year and it prevents employers from discriminating based on vaccine status or having an immunity passport. That means all vaccines inc...