Aug. 6-10: As Navigator Deadline Approaches, Individual-Insurance Market Strengthens
Aug. 2—As the Trump administration prepares to accept the latest round of navigator applications this week, the individual health insurance market appears to be strengthening.
Medicare Offers $1 Billion Increase, Policy Changes for Post-Acute Providers
Aug. 1—Post-acute care providers will see more than a $1 billion pay boost for FY19—along with a range of policy changes—as described in annual final rules issued by Medicare this week.
Healthcare Finance Industry Names Leading Innovators
July 30—Providing an indication of where the healthcare finance industry is headed, stakeholders recently selected a patient revenue cycle system and a telemonitoring company as leading innovators.
Members of Congress Identify Ways to Cut Administrative Costs
July 31—Healthcare administrative costs could be cut in half over the next five years through a series of congressional and administrative actions, members of Congress were told this week.
Medicare Proposes $760 Million 2019 Hospital Cut
July 27—A range of major hospital policy changes includes a $760 million cut as part of the 2019 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rule.
July 30-Aug. 3: As CMS Offers MIPS Review, Physicians Urge Its Preservation
July 26—Members of Congress and some physician leaders urged the continuation of Medicare’s Merit-based Incentive Payment System amid growing calls for its elimination. However, many agreed the system needs changes.
Public Poll, Verma Reject Single-Payer
July 25—The administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said she is likely to reject an expected single-payer proposal from California. Her position echoed the sentiments of a national poll released this week.
Maryland Insurance Costs Rise Despite Hospital Price Controls
July 24—Despite a unique price control system for Maryland hospitals, insurers in the state’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual health insurance market have requested the largest average rate increase in the country.
Why Two Health Systems Opted Not to Launch Their Own MA Plans
July 23—After hospitals and health systems have had some highly publicized struggles operating their own Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in recent years, two health systems recently opted to partner on an MA plan with an insurer.
States Trying to Stabilize ACA Marketplaces
July 19—Amid growing policy uncertainty at the federal level, states are undertaking a range of responses to stabilize the individual-insurance marketplaces. But so far, the effect is uncertain.