Dec. 17-21: Report Highlights Savings of Existing Medicare ACOs
Dec. 13—As the Trump administration considers a controversial overhaul of Medicare’s accountable care organization (ACO) program, a new report says the existing model has provided much more savings than previously found.
Hospital Medicare Margins Decline Further
Dec. 7—Hospitals’ overall Medicare margins deteriorated to -9.9 percent in 2017, according to an analysis by Congress’s primary advisory group.
Dec. 10-14: Overall Healthcare Spending Increases Continue to Slow
Dec. 6—Federal actuaries identified slower-than-projected nationwide healthcare spending growth in 2017, driven in part by reduced use of outpatient services.
Hospitals Sue over $380 Million OPPS Cut
Dec. 5—Several hospitals and advocacy groups filed suit this week to stop a finalized Medicare payment change that would cut 2019 outpatient payments by an estimated $380 million.
Trump Administration’s Plan to Boost Choice, Competition Draws Hospital Concerns
Dec. 4—An expansion of site-neutral payments, support for physician-owned hospitals, and changes to graduate medical education (GME) were among the newly revealed Trump administration priorities that drew early hospital opposition.
Long-Delayed 340B Rule Takes Effect in January
Nov. 30—A highly anticipated rule to require better drug company compliance with a major discount drug program will go into effect Jan. 1—following multiple delays.
Dec. 3-7: Hospitals Expected to Face Growing Margin Pressure
Nov. 29—Policymakers in Washington, D.C., next week will focus on hospitals' Medicare margins, as one rating agency warns government- and consumer-driven margin pressure will increase.
Surprise Medical Bills, Direct Primary Care Gain Senate Attention
Nov. 28—Senators said they will push legislation to limit surprise medical bills and to support direct primary care as part of congressional efforts to control rising healthcare costs.
CMS Considering Overhaul of Hospital Wage Index
Nov. 27—The Trump administration is mulling changes to the Medicare hospital wage index system, including the creation of a commuting-based wage index, according to federal officials.
Lessons from a BCBS Plan’s Plunge into Value-Based Payment
Nov. 26—Commercial insurers—and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, in particular—have been shy about moving into value-based payment (VBP). But one southwestern insurer’s experience may help change that.