Nick Hut

About the Author

Nick Hut

Latest Work

Evolving approach to federal value-based payment models will emphasize equity, affordability

Leaders with CMS and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation have published a rough blueprint of the future of value-based payment at the federal level.

Nick Hut August 16, 2021

FTC says reviews of mergers and acquisitions can be initiated even after statutory deadlines

Hospitals and health systems can expect M&A reviews to become more rigorous after a recent White House executive order.

Nick Hut August 14, 2021

Latest data shows positive financial trends for hospitals, but will the good news be fleeting?

June was a promising month in terms of hospital financial performance, but the delta variant of the coronavirus threatens to reverse many of the gains.

Nick Hut August 7, 2021

Policies to prepare for a future pandemic should center on interoperability between hospitals and public health systems, expert says

The need for better interoperability between hospitals and public health entities is a crucial lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic, a public health official testified to a Senate committee.

Nick Hut August 4, 2021

FY22 rule for the Inpatient Prospective Payment System finalizes a payment increase and key policy updates

The base payment increase for hospital inpatient services in FY22 will be 2.5%, according to a final rule issued by CMS.

Nick Hut August 3, 2021

Congress opts not to use Provider Relief Fund allocations as an infrastructure funding source

Earlier reports indicated that Provider Relief Fund money would be used to help pay for the pending bipartisan infrastructure bill, but the legislative text includes no such language.

Nick Hut August 2, 2021

Latest hospital readmissions data highlight the challenges posed by septicemia

For all diagnoses across payers, researchers reported a 30-day readmission rate of 14% and an average cost per readmission of $15,200.

Nick Hut July 30, 2021

Hospital-at-home programs are gaining traction and have well-documented benefits, experts say

A Medicare waiver issued in late 2020 has spurred more health systems to implement home-care programs for acute conditions.

Nick Hut July 30, 2021

Study: In price negotiations with hospitals, self-insured employers lack leverage

The vast difference in market power between hospitals and employers leaves the latter group with little recourse in negotiations, according to a new study.

Nick Hut July 29, 2021

ACO leaders support new bill designed to boost participation in value-based payment

Accountable care organizations stand to benefit from a new bill that would increase investment funding and make changes to federal ACO programs, several executives said.

Nick Hut July 26, 2021