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Joint Commission, STS, ACC Partner for New Cardiac Certification

The Joint Commission has partnered with The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) to launch a new cardiac care certification. This certification will leverage existing clinical data from STS and ACC patient registries, aiming to reduce the burden on healthcare organizations while focusing on patient outcomes.

Joint Commission Launches Children's Health Strategy and Revises Standards

The Joint Commission has launched a new children's health strategy and is revising its accreditation and certification standards to better address the unique needs of pediatric patients. This initiative involves forming a Children's Healthcare Advisory Committee to guide the revisions.

Joint Commission and NQF Align Sentinel Event Lists

The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum (NQF) have aligned their lists of serious reportable events, also known as sentinel events. This alignment aims to standardize reporting and improve patient safety initiatives within healthcare organizations accredited by The Joint Commission.

MedPAC Recommends Medicare Physician Payment Increase

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommended that Congress increase Medicare physician payments by an additional 0.5 percent for 2027. The American Medical Association (AMA) welcomed the recommendation, highlighting the need for stable payments to protect patient access to care.

Physician AI Use Doubles, Confidence Grows Amid Skill Loss Concerns

The American Medical Association's latest survey reveals that 81% of physicians now use AI in their practices, a significant increase from 38% in 2023. While confidence in AI's clinical benefits grows, concerns persist regarding potential skill loss and patient interpretation of results without physician oversight.

AMA Survey on Trust in Health Information

A recent survey highlights that Americans continue to trust physicians and medical organizations, like the AMA, for health information, despite declining confidence in federal health agencies. The AMA emphasizes its commitment to providing accurate, evidence-based guidance to patients.

NY Cybersecurity Regulations and Grants for Water Systems

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced new cybersecurity regulations and $2.5 million in grants for the state's drinking water and wastewater systems. The regulations include mandatory training, incident reporting, and risk-based standards, with grants available for assessments and upgrades.

Medicare.gov Enhanced Login Options

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced new login options for Medicare.gov, including ID.me, CLEAR, and Login.gov, to enhance user security and protect beneficiary information from fraud and identity theft. These services are free and offer various verification and support methods.

CMS Extends GENEROUS Model Application Deadline

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the application deadline for the GENEROUS Model, a drug pricing initiative for Medicaid, from March 31, 2026, to April 30, 2026. This extension provides additional time for prescription drug manufacturers to apply to participate in the model, which aims to lower drug spending and improve health outcomes.

HHS Proposed Rule for Health Insurance Exchanges 2027 Payment Parameters

HHS, through CMS, has issued a proposed rule outlining benefit and payment parameters for Health Insurance Exchanges for the 2027 plan year. The proposal includes changes to risk adjustment programs, user fees, marketing practices, and plan options, with a public comment deadline of March 13, 2026.