With substantial Medicare payment cuts pending, medical groups call for Congress to act
Payment cuts scheduled for 2022 would amount to a 9.75% reduction in Medicare revenue for medical groups, which are calling on Congress to pass legislation to stop the cuts.
Congress passes funding compromise with only $3 billion in provider aid
A final federal spending and coronavirus relief package includes big wins and losses for hospital finances.
Medicare shifts payments toward primary care physicians in PFS final rule
The final rule for CY21 Medicare physician payment will boost evaluation and management service payments while cutting rates for services provided by many specialty physicians.
COVID-19-induced revenue issues and staffing challenges causing some PCP practices to close their doors
HFMA's Chad Mulvany says if Congress passes another COVID-19 relief bill, which includes an additional PRF appropriation, it will address the PCP’s short-term financial issues, but will not solve staffing issues.
Primary care providers are partnering with employers to form an optimal primary care delivery system
HFMA's Katie Gilfillan says the time may be right for a re-orientation of the healthcare system, where hospitals, physician groups and purchasers of care along with payment models are aligned to support a more patient-centric system.
COVID-19 impact on independent primary care physician practices could accelerate the shift to value based payment
Health plans are taking this opportunity to align more closely with independent PCPs, including BCBS of North Carolina, where practices’ acceptance of financial support requires them to join one of health plan’s existing ACOs.
CMS issues reopening guidance to healthcare providers, patients
CMS has offered more reopening guidance for both providers and patients amid indications some patients may not return.
Practices can qualify for CARES funding even without COVID-19 patients, HHS says
Practices can qualify for CARES Act grants even if they have no diagnosed or suspected COVID-19 patients.
Hospitals and physician practices generally achieve ‘moderately effective’ use of cost data, according to a survey, which also identified more effective approaches
Although many healthcare organizations say they have achieved middling results in their cost accounting efforts, that could improve through widespread adoption of approaches identified as most effective.
In response to providers, CMS offers further specifics about direct contracting
CMS officials further clarified the coming direct-contracting model during a series of discussions with providers.