💰Proposed Medicare and Medicaid Payment Policies for CY 2026
This major proposed rule addresses: changes to the physician fee schedule (PFS); other changes to Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice, relative value of services, and changes in the statute; codification of establishment of new policies for: the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; the Ambulatory Specialty Model; updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model; updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B; Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; updates to the Quality Payment Program; updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers update to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; codification of the Inflation Reduction Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 provisions; updates to the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program.
Learn More🧪FDA Classifies Herpes Simplex Virus Assay as Class II Device
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is classifying the herpes simplex virus nucleic acid-based assay for central nervous system infections into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for classification of the herpes simplex virus nucleic acid-based assay for central nervous system infections. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
Learn More🍗USDA Updates State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program Lists
FSIS is amending the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to remove its lists of states that do not operate their own meat or poultry inspection (MPI) programs that are "at least equal to" FSIS' Federal inspection programs and have therefore been designated for FSIS' Federal inspection. FSIS is also amending the regulations to remove or revise related cross references to the lists. Going forward, FSIS will maintain lists of states with and without MPI programs on its website to ensure that the public has accurate and timely access to information about State and Federal inspection programs.
Learn More🦠FDA Classifies Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Device as Class II
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is classifying the cellular analysis system for multiplexed antimicrobial susceptibility testing into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the cellular analysis system for multiplexed antimicrobial susceptibility testing's classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
Learn More🦠FDA Classifies Fungal Nucleic Acid Detection Device to Class II
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is classifying the device to detect and identify fungal nucleic acids directly in respiratory specimens into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the device to detect and identify fungal nucleic acids directly in respiratory specimens' classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
Learn More⚗️FDA Classifies Clinical Mass Spectrometry Devices
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is classifying the clinical mass spectrometry microorganism identification and differentiation system into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the clinical mass spectrometry microorganism identification and differentiation system's classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
Learn More🩺FDA Class II Medical Device Classification for Chronic Wound Care
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is classifying the device to detect bacterial protease activity in chronic wound fluid into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the device to detect bacterial protease activity in chronic wound fluid's classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
Learn More🧪FDA Classifies Zika Virus Serological Reagents to Class II
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is classifying the Zika virus serological reagents into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the Zika virus serological reagents' classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
Learn More🧬FDA Classifies Inherited Nucleotide Repeat Disorder DNA Test
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is classifying the inherited nucleotide repeat disorder DNA test into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the inherited nucleotide repeat disorder DNA test's classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
Learn More🧪Compliance Date Extensions for Methylene Chloride Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is proposing to extend the compliance date applicable to certain entities subject to the regulation of methylene chloride recently promulgated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Specifically, EPA is proposing to extend by 18 months the Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) and the associated recordkeeping compliance dates for laboratories that are not owned or operated by agencies or Federal contractors acting on behalf of the Federal government. Under this proposal, all laboratories, whether federal or not, would have the same compliance dates, which would be aligned with current compliance dates for Federal agencies and Federal contractors. EPA is proposing to extend the compliance dates for associated laboratory activities detailed in this proposal to avoid disruption of important functions such as the use of environmental monitoring methods needed for cleanup sites and wastewater treatment, as well as activities associated with university laboratories. The use of environmental monitoring methods, a common function of non-federal laboratories, is important to EPA's mission to ensure that the air is safe to breathe, water is safe for drinking or recreating, and disposal activities protect the environment.
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