Rich Daly

Mandatory Medicare ESRD model to launch in January 2021

A mandatory model for 30% of the clinicians and facilities treating kidney failure will launch Jan. 1.

Deductibles rising, underinsurance rates worsening in individual coverage, survey finds

Deductibles and underinsurance are increasing among those with individual-market coverage.

ED, inpatient volumes have stagnated since June, analysis finds

Hospitals’ ED and inpatient volumes have not improved since the June surge in patients following the resumption of most hospital services after COVID-19 service suspensions were lifted.

Amid the pandemic, cost control becomes hospitals’ top benefits-related focus, survey finds

Health systems have prioritized cost control in their personnel offices in response to the pandemic’s revenue impacts, a new survey found.

CMS drops MFAR, launches Medicaid value-based payment push

CMS drops MFAR, launches Medicaid value-based payment push.

As states tweak Medicaid programs, enrollment increases fall far short of job losses

Medicaid enrollment increases have lagged far behind unemployment increases but are still pressuring states facing a budget squeeze during the recession.

Big Medicare bundled payment changes could cut participation, advisers say

Most BPCI-A participants will see major changes in 2021 ahead of a mandatory model in 2024, CMS says.

Despite the pandemic, hospitals continue to shift toward value-based payment

Hospitals plan to continue moving to value-based payment despite obstacles to caring for patients under risk-based contracts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Biden’s potential HHS pick, priorities include public option, hospital M&A, cost control

A Biden administration would push a public option, negotiate hospital prices and target hospital M&A, an adviser says.

CMS finalizes requirement for hospitals to report MA plan rates