Maryland’s all-inclusive population health payment model continues to show promise, but nonhospital spending poses a concern
An innovative payment model for Maryland healthcare providers has improved utilization, cost and quality thus far, but an increase in nonhospital spending requires further study. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released an analysis of the first three years of Maryland’s Total Cost of Care Model, an effort to improve population health management.…
Data capture and coding for social determinants of health are works in progress, per reports
In the effort to bring social determinants of health (SDoH) more under the purview of healthcare providers, one tricky aspect is establishing a data and coding infrastructure. Recent reports highlight this challenge. For example, a survey conducted for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) found that although 78% of 2,637 respondents said their organizations…
Expanding its capacity to disrupt healthcare, CVS Health shells out billions to buy Oak Street Health
A month after stating it hoped to gain a presence in primary care, CVS Health accomplished that goal with a massive deal that could fortify its efforts to advance value-based payment in healthcare. The proposed $10.6 billion acquisition of Oak Street Health, a provider of senior-focused primary care, adds to a portfolio of assets that…
How Braven Health is looking to improve the lives of New Jersey patients through value-based care
Patrick Young, president of population health for Hackensack Meridian Health and Jeff Smith, chief commercial officer at value-based managed services operator Lumeris, share the success story of payer-provider partnership Braven Health.
Time to take a fresh look at affiliation options for physicians and health systems
As the healthcare marketplace continues to evolve, posing new challenges and creating new opportunities, so too will affiliation models continue evolve in ways that can best meet current and future needs of healthcare providers. In this environment, health systems and physician practices — both independent and employed — could benefit from taking a fresh look…
How healthcare organizations can defend against financial hazards in 2023
What are the most critical strategies to steer healthcare organizations in the direction of financial stability in the following year and beyond? A couple tips include reducing bad debt and accessing external benchmarks for supply pricing.
7 tips for successful M&A integrations
When companies go through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), how do leaders manage integrating teams and culture? Read through some tips from a health care transaction principle who assists health systems across the M&A life cycle.
Less can be more: New considerations for hospital and health system partnerships
A range of affiliation structures and contractual obligations that stop short of full integration can offer an attractive alternative for hospital and health system partnerships contending with difficult operating environments.
Why owning a health plan is a good provider strategy
The trend toward increased ownership of health plans by health systems shows no signs of slowing as health systems are increasingly recognizing the importance of having their primary focus be on health and health outcomes rather than on the number of visits or procedures. A health system leader describes the advantages of health plan ownership and strategic considerations for pursuing this approach.
Telehealth is primed for growth despite post-lockdown fade
If our nation is to achieve true cost effectiveness of health, virtual healthcare must play a pivotal role. Here, two health system leaders share lessons learned from their efforts to develop effective telehealth programs as a key component in their long-term value-focused care strategies, and two thought leaders weigh in on keys to telehealth success.