Telehealth Services for Medicare Patients Likely to Change October 1
September 25, 2025
Unless Congress acts, important Medicare telehealth flexibilities will lapse on October 1.
September 25, 2025
After meeting for the past year and a half, the Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in Jails Workgroup has released its final report.
The Minnesota Office of Addiction and Recovery, in partnership with the MMA and the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association, convened the MOUD in Jails Workgroup to propose policies and resources that would increase access to substance use treatment in Minnesota jails. The workgroup was co-chaired by the MMA (represented by Tyler Winkelman, MD, MSc) and the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association (represented by Jim Stuart, executive director).
The MOUD in Jails Workgroup was intentionally crafted to support collaboration among professionals with a significant breadth of perspectives and geographies. Members represented corrections and law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organizations from urban, rural, and Tribal communities across Minnesota. The workgroup began its efforts in May 2024 and quickly coalesced around recommendations focused on meeting jails where they are and providing supports for movement toward achieving a standard of care.
An interim report was released to enable short-term impact while the workgroup continued its efforts. With the interim report launched in January 2025, the workgroup expanded its focus from MOUD within jails to also consider the continuation of care as individuals transition into the community. The final report of the workgroup reflects this wider focus and provides an expanded list of recommendations, as well as next steps.
September 25, 2025
Unless Congress acts, important Medicare telehealth flexibilities will lapse on October 1.
September 25, 2025
On September 22, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced it is endorsing existing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from professional medical associations for the 2025-26 vaccine.
September 25, 2025
On September 19, the Trump Administration issued an Executive Order that increases the H-1B visa fee to $100,000. Previously, employers paid between $2,000 and $5,000 for each visa, and the fee was dependent on several factors such as company size.