VIZIENT, INC. for VIZIENT INC

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Non-Profit Hospital Tax Exemption - Advocated for flexibility from the Internal Revenue Service in the implementation of new requirements for tax-exempt hospitals included in the Affordable Care Act. Sought additional guidance related to the requirement that hospitals complete a community health needs assessment. Monitored ongoing discussions in Congress related to reforming the tax code and tracked how such changes would impact tax-exempt hospitals.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE; Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Health Issues HCR

Hospital Group Purchasing - Engaged in outreach and education efforts to demonstrate the value that GPOs offer to hospitals. Budget Control Act - Advocated for changes to the Budget control act to prevent a 2.0% cut in Medicare payments for hospitals. Physician Payment Sunshine Act - tracked implementation of the Medicare physician payment sunshine requirements from the Affordable Care Act. 340 B (of the Public Health Services Act ) Drug Discount Program - tracked Congressional investigations of the 340B program and monitored legislative efforts (H.R. 2674) to expand the program to inpatient providers. Health IT - followed the continued implementation of the HITECH Act, and the health IT incentive program for meaningful users of electronic health records. Shortage of prescription drugs - monitored ongoing federal efforts to combat the shortage of prescription drugs. Advocated for proposals that would help ease the shortage in the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act which was signed into law on July 9. Unique Device Identification - supported inclusion of provisions in the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act requiring the FDA to implement a unique device identification system for medical devices by a set date.

Contacted: Internal Revenue Service (IRS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Bills named: H.R. 2674 (112th)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program - Advocated for changes to recognize socio-economic factors and planned and unrelated readmissions in the implementation of Medicare hospital readmissions reduction program. Medicare Physician Reimbursement - Monitored discussions to replace sustainable growth rate formula for Medicare physician payments and avoid reductions in payments in 2013. Hospital Value-Based Purchasing - Monitored the implementation of the hospital value-based purchasing program as required by the Affordable Care Act. Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors - Tracked ongoing activity from Medicare recovery audit contractors and raised concerns about overly aggressive contractors and improper audits and payment denials.

Contacted: Internal Revenue Service (IRS); SENATE; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES