News From Around the Web
> Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is giving $5.3 million in consumer assistance grants to up to 12 states, reports LifeHealthPro. The grants will be used to expand existing consumer assistance programs. Article
> For the thousands of individuals in Massachusetts who purchased coverage through the state's failed marketplace, most were enrolled in temporary coverage that ends Dec. 31. Now, nearly 400,000 people will need to reapply for coverage before the end of this year, according to the Boston Globe. Article
> At the end of July, California reported a backlog of nearly half a million unprocessed Medicaid applications--hopefully this number will decrease to 350,000 unprocessed forms from a high of 900,000 in March, reports Reporting on Health. Article
Anti-Fraud News
> In a trio of recent audit reports, the Office of Inspector General announced enforcement actions against Medicaid agencies in Texas, Nebraska and Kansas for different operational slip-ups. Article
> Medicare's competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics and other supplies--expected to save the program $25.7 billion by 2022--has come under fire for its effects on individual patients and providers. Article
And finally … 15 things to put a smile on your face. Article