‘Service Rationalization’ the Most Stubborn Cost Challenge: Hospital Survey
Oct. 15—The area where hospitals struggle most to find savings is in efforts to reduce or eliminate services.
RAC Recoveries Increase, as Problems Persist
Oct. 12—An update of Medicare’s overpayments recoupment program isn’t giving providers much hope for change in a system they say unfairly takes and holds their money for long periods, if not for good.
Oct. 14-19: Healthcare Costs a Priority for Public, Policymakers
Oct. 11—Healthcare costs are likely to be a major focus in a discussion next week featuring Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS). And heading into the 2018 midterm elections, the cost of health care is a top priority in both public polling and congressional planning.
Challenges and Opportunities Seen in Social Determinants
Oct. 10—Providers and insurers are seeing a range of obstacles and new opportunities in efforts to better address the most powerful factors affecting patient health.
More than 1,500 Provider Organizations Join New Bundle
Oct. 9—The latest Medicare bundled payment model gained 50 percent more provider organizations than its predecessor.
Employer Plan Deductibles Increase by 11 Percent: Survey
Oct. 8—In 2018, the share of workers enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) resumed increasing, and deductibles among all workers increased by an average of 11 percent from the year before, according to a national survey.
Oct. 8-12: ACO Changes Urged for Consideration by Administration, Congress
Oct. 3—Healthcare industry leaders will gather next week at various meetings that will include discussions of high-profile accountable care organization (ACO) programs. The Medicare ACO program particularly needs changes, providers told federal officials this week.
Medicare Quality Pay Leads Practice Regulatory Burden
Oct. 2—Although insurance prior authorization and electronic health record (EHR) interoperability have garnered extensive attention as challenges for medical practices, a new survey fingers Medicare quality payment programs as the biggest hindrance.
MA Plan Options Surge as Premiums Fall
Oct. 1—The number of available Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will increase by 19 percent in 2019, while average premiums will decline by 6 percent, according to new federal data.
More Audits, Work Requirements Coming to Medicaid
Sept. 28—Coming Medicaid activity will include more audits of Medicaid health plans and more requirements that enrollees get jobs or engage in other activities, according to the program’s federal leader.