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CLEAR Partners with CMS to Enhance Identity Verification in Healthcare

CLEAR Partners with CMS to Enhance Identity Verification in Healthcare

CLEAR, a company known for its identity verification technology, has signed a contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve identity verification in the U.S. healthcare system. This partnership is part of CMS's 'Kill the Clipboard' initiative, which aims to modernize Medicare by enhancing interoperability and reducing fraud. CLEAR's technology uses biometric data and document checks to verify identities, allowing patients and providers to confirm their identities with a simple selfie. The initiative is expected to streamline healthcare processes and improve security.

Welldoc Partners with CLEAR to Enhance Health Data Integration for Chronic Care

Welldoc Partners with CLEAR to Enhance Health Data Integration for Chronic Care

Welldoc, a leader in AI-driven cardiometabolic care, has announced a strategic partnership with CLEAR, a secure identity company, to integrate CLEAR1 identity verification into the Welldoc App by the first quarter of 2026. This collaboration aims to streamline the process of authenticating and aggregating fragmented medical records from multiple sources, addressing a significant bottleneck in digital health. The integration is part of the CMS Health Tech Ecosystem initiative, which seeks to modernize the health system by ensuring patient data travels with the patient. By embedding CLEAR1, Welldoc aims to create a 'trusted identity layer' that allows for secure and seamless access to sensitive medical records, enhancing the app's ability to provide personalized coaching for managing chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity.

CMS Overpayment in Change Healthcare Hack Relief Funds Affects Hospitals

CMS Overpayment in Change Healthcare Hack Relief Funds Affects Hospitals

A University of Minnesota analysis has revealed that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) overpaid many hospitals while missing others in its relief program following the 2024 Change Healthcare cyberattack. The Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) program, which distributed $3.3 billion in accelerated payments, was intended to support providers whose revenue cycles were disrupted by the cyberattack. However, the study found that a third of the hospitals received more than $1 million in excess of their Medicare revenue losses, while another third did not receive enough to cover their losses. The analysis identified 312 hospitals that did not receive any funds despite experiencing significant revenue disruptions. The findings, published in Health Affairs, suggest that the CMS relief program did not adequately target the highest-need recipients.

Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Alfred Olivares Discusses Affordability and Innovation

Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Alfred Olivares Discusses Affordability and Innovation

Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Alfred Olivares Discusses Affordability and Innovation

Australian Parents Support Genomic Newborn Screening for Early Diagnosis

Australian Parents Support Genomic Newborn Screening for Early Diagnosis

A study involving Australian parents has revealed strong support for the integration of genomics into newborn screening (NBS). Parents believe that genomic NBS can provide timely diagnoses and treatments, enhancing outcomes for newborns. The study highlights the psychosocial impact of receiving a genomic diagnosis, with parents experiencing a range of emotions from anxiety to empowerment. Despite these challenges, parents see the benefits of genomic NBS in facilitating early access to treatments and enabling informed decision-making for future reproductive planning. Concerns about privacy and potential misuse of genomic data were also raised, emphasizing the need for legal safeguards.

Australian Study Highlights Parental Perspectives on Genomic Newborn Screening

Australian Study Highlights Parental Perspectives on Genomic Newborn Screening

A study exploring Australian parents' perspectives on genomic newborn screening reveals a complex interplay of emotions and considerations. The research involved 23 participants and highlighted the psychosocial impact of receiving a genetic diagnosis during the newborn period. Parents reported feelings of anxiety, grief, and stress, but also empowerment from the knowledge gained. The study emphasizes the need for psychosocial support and genetic counseling to mitigate distress and enhance the benefits of genomic screening. Parents expressed concerns about data privacy and the potential misuse of genomic information, advocating for legal safeguards and equitable access to care.

CLEAR Partners with CMS to Enhance Identity Verification in Medicare

CLEAR Partners with CMS to Enhance Identity Verification in Medicare

CLEAR, a company known for its identity verification technology, has announced a new contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the CMS Health Tech Ecosystem Initiative. This partnership is a significant step in the CMS's 'Kill the Clipboard' initiative, aimed at modernizing Medicare by improving interoperability and reducing fraud. CLEAR's technology, which uses biometric data and document checks, will be implemented to verify identities across healthcare organizations. This initiative is expected to streamline processes for Medicare beneficiaries and providers, allowing them to create and recover accounts and access healthcare information more securely. The technology is set to roll out on Medicare.gov in early 2026 and is compliant with HIPAA and IAL2 standards, ensuring patient data protection.

CMS Relief Funds Overpaid Most Hospitals, Missed Hundreds After Cyberattack

CMS Relief Funds Overpaid Most Hospitals, Missed Hundreds After Cyberattack

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provided financial relief to hospitals affected by the 2024 Change Healthcare cyberattack through the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) program. However, a University of Minnesota analysis revealed that the relief funds were disproportionately distributed. Many hospitals received more than their Medicare revenue losses, while hundreds of others, particularly those in rural areas or with critical access designations, did not receive any funds despite significant revenue disruptions. The CHOPD program, which offered $3.3 billion in accelerated payments, was intended to support providers whose revenue cycles were disrupted by the cyberattack. The study highlighted that the program's opt-in nature and lack of targeted relief led to these discrepancies.

FDA Launches TEMPO Pilot to Accelerate Digital Health Tools for Chronic Diseases

FDA Launches TEMPO Pilot to Accelerate Digital Health Tools for Chronic Diseases

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced a new pilot program named TEMPO (Technology-Enabled Meaningful Patient Outcomes) aimed at expediting the market entry of digital health technologies (DHTs) for chronic diseases. This initiative aligns with the deregulatory approach of the FDA under Commissioner Marty Makary. The TEMPO pilot is designed to facilitate access to digital health devices while ensuring patient safety. It will operate within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) ACCESS model, which is testing an outcome-aligned payment approach for Medicare. The pilot will initially focus on four clinical areas: early and later-stage cardio-kidney-metabolic conditions, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and behavioral health interventions. Up to 10 device manufacturers in each area will be selected to participate, with the opportunity to bypass certain regulatory requirements like premarket authorization. The FDA and CMS will collaborate to monitor and report real-world perform...

CMS Relief Funds Misallocated Following Change Healthcare Cyberattack

CMS Relief Funds Misallocated Following Change Healthcare Cyberattack

A University of Minnesota analysis has revealed that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) overpaid many hospitals while failing to provide adequate relief to others following the 2024 Change Healthcare cyberattack. The Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) program, which distributed $3.3 billion in accelerated payments, was intended to support providers whose revenue cycles were disrupted by the cyberattack. However, the study found that at least 312 hospitals with significant revenue disruptions did not receive any funds, while about a third of the hospitals that did receive payments were overcompensated by $1 million or more. The program's opt-in nature and lack of targeted relief for the most affected providers were highlighted as areas needing improvement.

Dr. Oz Warns Minnesota Governor of Potential Federal Funding Loss Over Alleged Medicaid Fraud

Dr. Oz Warns Minnesota Governor of Potential Federal Funding Loss Over Alleged Medicaid Fraud

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz has issued a warning to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz regarding a significant Medicaid fraud scheme allegedly involving members of the Somali community in Minnesota. Dr. Oz claims that over $1 billion has been misappropriated, with some funds potentially reaching the terrorist group al-Shabab. He has demanded that Governor Walz take corrective actions within 60 days, including providing weekly updates on anti-fraud efforts, freezing enrollment of high-risk providers, verifying current providers, and submitting a corrective action plan. Failure to comply could result in the cessation of federal Medicaid funding to the state. The warning follows reports of dramatic cost increases in Minnesota's Medicaid programs, such as the Housing Stabilization Services and the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention programs.

Raman Spectroscopy Offers Needle-Free Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes Patients

Raman Spectroscopy Offers Needle-Free Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes Patients

Raman Spectroscopy Offers Needle-Free Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes Patients