Employers seek strategies to control surging hospital costs
Employers are increasingly looking for ways to control hospital costs, such as using centers of excellence, site of care redirection, and direct contracting, as well as pushing for federal policy changes, in response to projected 2026 cost increases of nearly 10%.
CMS broadens access to catastrophic plans
The CMS has expanded access to catastrophic individual healthcare coverage to enrollees of any age who meet certain income criteria, providing financial protection against serious illness or injury.
CMS implements policies to cut $50 billion in federal healthcare spending
CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz has implemented policies estimated to cut over $50 billion in federal spending on Medicaid and Medicare, through tightening oversight of enrollment in the ACA plans, closing a loophole states used to garner federal matching funds for Medicaid, and other initiatives.
FastFinance: Medicare enrollees’ drug costs spike
HFMA’s FastFinance newsletter is now a podcast. Host Rich Daly discusses the most current and relevant healthcare news, delivered in an easily digestible format. Medicare enrollees’ out-of-pocket drug costs have jumped this year, according to recent research. Learn what effects researchers expect. Also, this week’s Weird Number: 95% of business leaders expect no measurable business…
Small hospitals take biggest hit in Medicare bad debt pay cut
Small, rural, critical access hospitals (CAHs) would be disproportionately affected by proposed cuts to Medicare bad debt payments, which could save the federal government $42 billion over 10 years.
IRA drives ‘substantial’ out-of-pocket cost increases
The Medicare drug negotiation law has resulted in increased out-of-pocket costs for many Medicaid enrollees, as Part D plans have responded to the IRA changes by increasing deductibles and medication cost sharing.
Healthcare costs prompt employers to explore alternative health plans
Employers are increasingly adopting alternative health plans to counter rising healthcare costs, with 24% of employers surveyed by BGH expected to have one of these offerings in place by 2026 and 36% considering it for 2027 or 2028.
Unpaid medical bills rise as patients pay less out-of-pocket
Out-of-pocket payments by commercially insured patients have decreased in recent years, with the mean repayment rate decreasing from 54% in pre-pandemic years to 46% by 2023, according to a study in JAMA Health Forum.
FastFinance: Hospitals’ rising expense risk
HFMA’s FastFinance newsletter is now a podcast. Host Rich Daly discusses the most current and relevant healthcare news, delivered in an easily digestible format. Hospitals’ financial performance continues to improve this year, but expense trends are worrying, according to an industry tracker. Learn what spending is driving expenses. Also, this week’s Weird Number: One million…
Hospital revenue surges, but rising expenses raise concerns
Hospitals' financial performance has improved this year, with revenue increasing and operating margins reaching a high point, but expense trends are worrying due to increases in non-labor costs, bad debt, and charity care.