This morning, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team announced that Rep. Tom Price has been chosen to serve as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Price (R-GA), the current chairman of the House Budget Committee and member of the Ways and Means Committee, is an orthopedic surgeon who represents many of the northern suburbs of Atlanta. The Georgia congressman was an early supporter of Trump’s, endorsing him for President last May. NTOCC has worked closely with Dr. Price over the years on issues surrounding care transitions including the implementation of the chronic care management code. Dr. Price’s nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate, which will occur in January.

On Tuesday, Donald Trump won the presidency by running the most unconventional campaign in modern history. He was able to connect with middle-class voters in states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio and Iowa while winning toss-up states on the east coast, including Florida and North Carolina, to seal his victory. Thus far, President-elect Trump has won 28 states and 279 electoral votes, with Arizona (11 electoral votes), Michigan (16 electoral votes), and New Hampshire (4 electoral votes) yet to be called.

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that updates that payment policies and payment rates for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2017. The rule has been finalized with a number of policies supported by NTOCC, including the establishment of separate payments for codes describing chronic care management for patients with greater complexity.