Oct. 21-26: HCAHPS Changes Coming in Opioid Bill
Oct. 18—Major legislation, which could be signed into law next week, aims to address the opioid crisis and includes changes to Medicare’s hospital patient survey.
What Changes Are Coming to Medicaid in 2019?
Oct. 16—Additional state expansions of Medicaid eligibility are among the expected developments coming next year to the program, according to a former federal leader of Medicaid.
‘Service Rationalization’ the Most Stubborn Cost Challenge: Hospital Survey
Oct. 15—The area where hospitals struggle most to find savings is in efforts to reduce or eliminate services.
RAC Recoveries Increase, as Problems Persist
Oct. 12—An update of Medicare’s overpayments recoupment program isn’t giving providers much hope for change in a system they say unfairly takes and holds their money for long periods, if not for good.
Oct. 14-19: Healthcare Costs a Priority for Public, Policymakers
Oct. 11—Healthcare costs are likely to be a major focus in a discussion next week featuring Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS). And heading into the 2018 midterm elections, the cost of health care is a top priority in both public polling and congressional planning.
Challenges and Opportunities Seen in Social Determinants
Oct. 10—Providers and insurers are seeing a range of obstacles and new opportunities in efforts to better address the most powerful factors affecting patient health.
More than 1,500 Provider Organizations Join New Bundle
Oct. 9—The latest Medicare bundled payment model gained 50 percent more provider organizations than its predecessor.
Employer Plan Deductibles Increase by 11 Percent: Survey
Oct. 8—In 2018, the share of workers enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) resumed increasing, and deductibles among all workers increased by an average of 11 percent from the year before, according to a national survey.
Oct. 8-12: ACO Changes Urged for Consideration by Administration, Congress
Oct. 3—Healthcare industry leaders will gather next week at various meetings that will include discussions of high-profile accountable care organization (ACO) programs. The Medicare ACO program particularly needs changes, providers told federal officials this week.
Medicare Quality Pay Leads Practice Regulatory Burden
Oct. 2—Although insurance prior authorization and electronic health record (EHR) interoperability have garnered extensive attention as challenges for medical practices, a new survey fingers Medicare quality payment programs as the biggest hindrance.