MGMA urges HHS to delay enforcement of surprise billing requirements

MGMA wrote to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging the agency to delay the implementation and enforcement of the surprise medical billing requirements. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, certain providers will be prohibited from balance billing for services provided to out-of-network patients, while other clinician types will be required to provide strict notice and consent documentation before services are rendered in order to seek payment from out-of-network patients. In the letter, MGMA expressed serious concerns regarding the arbitrary and overburdensome requirements for the notice and consent process and fears that it could disrupt clinical care and practice operations. HHS will be releasing additional regulations in the coming months further implementing the ban on surprise billing.

MGMA to Congress: Support the physician workforce

MGMA and other leading healthcare organizations sent a letter to congressional leadership asking to include policies in the budget reconciliation legislation that would increase Medicare support for graduate medical education (GME). These additional positions would alleviate the physician shortage by gradually providing new Medicare-supported GME positions. MGMA members can participate in #MGMAAdvocacy by sending a template letter to their congressional representatives.

Tax credits for paid leave set to expire at end of month

Eligible medical groups have until the end of September to take advantage of the tax credits available to employers to help fund paid FMLA and sick leave for reasons related to COVID-19. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provided funds in the form of refundable tax credits to businesses with fewer than 500 employees who offer employees paid FMLA and sick leave under the Act. Although the requirement to offer paid leave under the FFCRA is no longer mandatory, the refundable tax credits are only available to businesses that offer the paid leave. To learn more about the requirements to report qualified sick and family wages, see the updated guidance from the Internal Revenue Services issued this week.