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In This Issue

Value-Based Reimbursement:  CMS Ups the Ante for Hospitals with Proposed Rulemaking
Among the many reforms mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), hospitals will be subject to a Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program (Hospital VBP Program) applicable to Medicare payments for inpatient stays under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). To that end, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently issued a proposed rule implementing this program. 76 Fed. Reg. 2454 (January 13, 2011). This rule represents a natural continuum in the line of quality-based health care initiatives from CMS, including the quality reporting programs for hospital inpatient services, hospital outpatient services, physicians and other related health care professionals, home health agencies, and skilled nursing facilities.

Summary of North Carolina Senate Bill 33's Medical Malpractice Reform
Medical malpractice reform entered the North Carolina General Assembly through Senators Apodaca, Brown and Rucho’s sponsorship of Senate Bill 33: “Medical Liability Reforms” (the “Bill”). These malpractice reform measures would apply to nursing homes, hospitals, physicians, and other persons defined as “health care providers” under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-21.11. Medical malpractice actions are defined by statute to include lawsuits based on personal injury or death arising out of the furnishing of or failure to furnish professional services by a health care provider.

ICE Targets Large Employers:  How to Be Prepared
On January 20, 2011, John Morton, chief of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), announced the creation of an Employment Compliance Inspection Center (ECIC), and the news should put all large employers on notice. The ECIC will be staffed for the exclusive purpose of examining the hundreds or even thousands of I-9s of larger companies targeted for an ICE audit.

You Can't Say That!  The Dangers of Overbroad Social Media Policies
Social media use is exploding, and the prevailing attitude of users seems to be “post now, think later.” In this climate, employers undoubtedly should develop and implement policies to protect their reputation and brand in the marketplace. But, like their employees posting online, if employers go too far in their statements, they may face unforeseen consequences.

Health Information Exchanges:  Ready or Not Here They Come!
Health information exchanges (HIEs) are being created by states, professional associations, and many others even as you read this very article. Marketplace incentives and health care reform are encouraging the creation of HIEs, including those in North Carolina, this past year. What does this all mean, and how can a provider get ready?