Rising healthcare costs to spur little action before 2020, analysts say
Affordability concerns are impacting the healthcare of a growing number of Americans, according to new polling. However, there is little chance that Congress will address that issue before the 2020 election, political analysts say.
Why one insurer is expanding a mental health integration pilot statewide
Early indications of savings and positive provider feedback led one Blue Cross plan to expand statewide a behavioral care telehealth program.
Geisinger clinical effectiveness program credited with stabilizing biologics costs
Biologics comprised less than 1% of Geisinger Health’s claims but were approaching 50% of its total drug spending. That is, until a comparative effectiveness program halted the rapid increase.
Value-Based Contracting Not Taking Off: Health Plan Survey
Health plans see a shift to value-based payment on the horizon, according to a new industry survey. It’s a familiar finding.
Insurers, Policymakers Target ED Use Reduction
Insurance executives and governors are taking new steps to reduce inappropriate use of emergency departments by plan enrollees.
CMS Report Reveals Interesting Statistics on Provider Participation in Quality Payment Program
CMS inaugural report: Most clinicians avoid a negative payment adjustment under MIPS.
Some Practices Leave Largest Bundle Program
Physician practices were more likely than other providers to depart from Medicare’s largest bundled payment program by the March 1 deadline to drop out, according to industry advisers.
Public-Option Bill Cuts $774 Billion in Hospital Revenue: Report
High-profile legislation that would launch a Medicare-based public option to compete against private insurers would slash national healthcare spending—primarily through reduced hospital pay, according to a new analysis.
Trump Budget Road-Tests Hospital Policies
Hospital impacts in the Trump administration’s proposed FY20 budget include cuts to Medicare uncompensated care, more site-neutral payments, and an extension of coming Medicaid payment cuts.
Congress Weighs Actions to Curb Hospital M&A
Congress is discussing a variety of ways to reduce mergers and acquisitions (M&A) among providers, including allowing more enforcement against not-for-profit entities, increasing funding of enforcement agencies, and eliminating payment incentives.