Recent Newsletters
R.J. Hedges & Associates
Our newsletters keep you informed about current healthcare issues and regulatory changes, events, and accreditation discrepancies.
See past newsletter editions below.
2022 - Newsletters
2023 CMS Deductibles set and prices adjustments for Urban customers, DME MAC Reviews/Audits, Express Scripts infringe more on independent customer base, ACHC review of RJHedges Compounding Programs, and changes to RJHedges PQC+ enrollment.
End of an era NSC ends contract, 2023 Medicare Deductibles, USP updates, and enforcements
NSG Ends Contract November 6th, USP updates are finally coming to USP <795> and <800>, and TriCare Beneficiaries are being forced to move to Mandatory Mail order of Chain Pharmacies Only.
Fall means Open Enrollment and Flu Vaccines, COVID, DMEPOS, and DSCSA Updates.
HIPAA Regulations updates are coming, DME errors reporting is showing high documentation errors, and the NCPA is asking members to send letters to the FDA to stop restrictions on compounded hormone therapy.
Supreme Court ruling could impact DEA investigations on pharmacies for Opioid dispensing, Multi-state, Multi-agency strike force to target illegal prescribing of controlled drugs in New England, Pa’s PALS Licensing system no longer issuing new licenses for O&P, Clarification on USP <800>.
HIPAA Communications Requirement Update, Attn PIC’s- listen Medicare Part D Final Rule, CGM’s now permitted with TriCare
DIR fees to change in 2023, COVID-19 Fraud cases start, FDA limits use on J&J’s COVID Vaccine, HIPAA and DEA Enforcement Actions, COVID’s winding down- time to prepare for life prior to waivers
They’re back! Time to prepare for Audits and Inspections to start again, Prior Authorizations for certain Orthoses are being suspended, and Free COVID tests to Medicare Beneficiaries
NSC Site inspections new contractors off to rocky start, COVID Standing Orders Updated, Time to review your Medication Adherence Program, notice of expected changes to Compliance Programs, CBD Book coming to market available from R.J. Hedges & Associates
Surgical Dressings update with Medicare Requirements and Updates to Policies & Forms
OSHA mandate on COVID Vaccines for employers with 100+ employees struck down, Pharmacists role post COVID research shows pharmacists have a greater role providing their care.
2023 - Newsletters
December's Newsletter includes: Compounding updates, DSCSA, Purified Water requirements, personnel folder updates, trainings, and updates to programs .
November's Newsletter: Happy Thanksgiving from R.J. Hedges! Be in the know with some Compliance Changes this month and get to know our staff member Becky.
October's Newsletter: Compounding Updates, DEA Enforcement, On-boarding new Employees, updates to programs, get to know Amy.
September’s Newsletter: CA dumps PBM, Federal Court on prescriptions, Immunization update, Pharmacy Compliance, updates to programs, get to know Alisa.
August’s Newsletter includes: HD with Retail and Compounding explained, DSCSA reminder, future updates to programs, get to know Jill.
July’s Newsletter includes: DEA Final Rule, DSCSA reminder, ACHC Non-Sterile Compounding Standards, future updates to programs, get to know Jenny.
June’s Newsletter includes: COVID-19 Healthcare Worker Requirements, Hearing for PBM's, Oral Treatment for COVID-19, Cyber Attack on Amazon Pharmacy, and updates to programs.
May’s Newsletter includes: DEA Drug Diversion Changes, HHS/OCR HIPAA Requirement updates, CMS Medicare Part D Final Rule, DSCSA, and updates to programs .
April’s Newsletter includes: Managing DIR Fees, Growth from Staffing issues, End of COVID, Changes to Continuous Glucose Monitors and updates to programs .
March’s Newsletter includes: Cyber Security and TikTock, new requests from PBM's, Track and Trace, 401k updates, and COVID Money now available to those that got PPP loans.
February’s Newsletter includes: DSCSA is on the horizon, Non-Sterile Compounding implementation date confirmed, and time to complete HIPAA training!
HIPAA Change impacting large database storage, NCPA's popular Point-of-Care Testing workshop is back, Nationwide lawsuit against AmerisourceBergen, February's HIPAA Training requirements will be on eLearning!
2024 - Newsletters
December's Newsletter includes: PBM Lawsuit Win, GLP in Compounding, Change of Ownership, Corrective Actions and Medicare Requests, Telemedicine update
November's Newsletter includes: Pharmacy Closures, Changes to Notifications in Medicare Part B, DSCSA requirements, FDA Warning, Reimbursement issues with PBMs
October's Newsletter includes: Wholesalers increase Controlled Vigilance, PPE Tariffs, Rescinded HCPCS codes, DSCSA requirements, New DMEPOS Product Category
September's Newsletter includes: Reminders for HETS, DEA, and CMS items, Updates to Assessments of Risk, CDC-don't use LY COVID vaccines, Possible CMS delay
August's Newsletter includes: Updated Hazardous Drug Assessments of Risk, CMS DMEPOS Exemption Requirements, Mandatory Training for Prescribing Controls for Physicians
July's Newsletter includes: Role and location changes at RJH, Expanded Age for RSV, HIPAA Change, Moving Sale, DME JD Newsletter, Cost Savings for Prescriptions
June's Newsletter includes: DEA Marijuana rule change, State Verification for FWA, Preventing Claim Denials of Diabetic Shoes, Express Scripts violates Part D
May's Newsletter includes: eFraud Alert, Cyberattack update, Medicare Part B And PECOS, and general P&P/Form updates
April's Newsletter includes: Complaints to Medicare, Immunization Award, Cyber Attack, HIPAA Update, 2025 Part D Contracts, and general P&P/Form updates
March's Newsletter includes: ACHC Certification, Cyber Attack, HIPAA Update, NP East and West Applications, and general P&P/Form updates
February's Newsletter includes: Medicare Application Issues NP East, DEA Site updates, Lymphedema changes and Billing.
January's Newsletter includes: CMS updates, Corporate Transparency Act Requirements, Performance Improvement Officer, Lymphedema changes and SDS.
2025 - Newsletters
April Newsletter: HIPAA 2026 changes, AoR relaunch, roster billing updates, NGSConnex MRNs, LTC at home, FDA rulings, Optum Rx access, and key P&P changes.
Marcch's Newsletter includes: FDA updates for Testosterone and Semaglutide, LTC @ Home coming soon, Pharm Tech Immunization Training, Prime Therapeutics M3P
February's Newsletter includes: Compounding Master Formula answers, AoR update, LTC @ Home update, DMEPOS Billing, New DME Product Code, Policy Changes
January's Newsletter includes: New Year New DMEPOS items, CMS Audit Flag, Billing Apology, Update to Portal