Health Resources Administration--Hill-Burton "uncompensated services" assurance; priorities for handling complaints. Notice

This notice announces the establishment of priorities for handling complaints of noncompliance by assisted medical facilities with their "uncompensated services" assurances under Titles VI and XVI of the Public Health Service Act. The priorities will determine the allocation of the Department's investigative and decision-making resources to certain complaints where the resources available are insufficient to handle all complaints.     

Special report on reimbursement. HCFA publishes proposed rule establishing new payment system for physicians

Whether any or all of these effects actually occur is presently a matter of conjecture. Over the long term, however, it is likely that RBRVS will lead to new opportunities to structure relationships between hospitals and physicians. In practical effect, DRG payments to hospitals, coupled with RBRVS fee schedules, are designed to promote patient care in outpatient settings. This means there will be new opportunities for joint ventures and practice/management arrangements between hospitals and physicians. As these new arrangements come to fruition, both hospitals and physicians must be aware of the financial implications of the new RBRVS codes.