Reimbursement

Why providers are struggling to succeed under value-based care

An obvious question that has often been overlooked in the rush to promote value-based care (VBC) is whether providers are equipped to navigate the transition from volume to value. Findings of a survey of providers and payers published in September suggest that there are reasons for concern.a Many providers report that capability gaps are negatively…

Richard Jackson January 26, 2024

Limit financial risk from Medicaid redetermination

Medicaid redetermination isn’t going smoothly. As of late December 2023, the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 71% of Medicaid disenrollments nationwide were for procedural reasons. That means patients are losing coverage because they filled out a form incorrectly or missed a deadline, not because they’re truly ineligible for renewal. Provider organizations can play a pivotal…

Noel Felipe January 24, 2024

In Congress, it’s status quo for Medicaid DSH payments and the Medicare physician fee schedule

Yet another short-term federal funding measure from Congress included yet another brief extension of full funding for Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments. With funding for much of the federal government set to expire Jan. 19, Congress agreed on a continuing resolution that keeps all agencies fully operational until March. Medicaid DSH payments are guaranteed…

Nick Hut January 22, 2024

Medicare beneficiaries would have new options for appealing their hospital patient status under a proposed rule from CMS

A proposed rule from CMS would affect the appeals process for some patients whose status is reclassified from inpatient to outpatient observation during a hospital stay. After a 2020 court ruling that was upheld at the appellate level in 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CMS were obligated to create additional…

Nick Hut January 17, 2024

The state of U.S. primary care: How new ways of thinking can spur meaningful improvement

As healthcare stakeholders consider ways to fortify the nation’s primary care system, industry leaders recommend emphasizing several strategies and components — and not waiting to act. “We’re close to midnight in many respects in thinking about how to urgently preserve and expand primary care in America,” Susan Dentzer, president and CEO of America’s Physician Groups…

Nick Hut January 16, 2024

Recent updates and emerging best practices for ACOs in the Medicare Shared Savings Program

Going into the 12th year since it brought accountable care into the healthcare lexicon, the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) continues to evolve, with CMS making changes and participants fine-tuning best practices. Starting with 220 accountable care organizations (ACOs) in 2012-13, the MSSP grew to 561 in 2018. However, the number has been below 500…

Nick Hut January 9, 2024

Comparison of 2024 ASC Addendum BB with October 2023 Addendum BB

HFMA presents a spreadsheet comparing ASC covered ancillary services. It also includes an HCPCS lookup tool that makes it easier to pull-up descriptive and payment information for a particular code.

HFMA January 9, 2024

Comparison of 2024 ASC Addendums AA and FF with October 2023 Addendums

HFMA presents a spreadsheet for relative weights and payment rates for the Ambulatory Surgical Center payment system comparing 2024 to 2023 rates.

HFMA January 9, 2024

Definition of “Employer”—Association Health Plans Proposed Rule Summary

HFMA presents a detailed summary of the proposed rule published by the Employee Benefits Security Administration that would rescind the similarly titled rule finalized in 2018 (83 FR 28912) that expanded the regulatory definition of “employer” under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

HFMA January 3, 2024

2024 outlook: Hospitals can expect a steadier year financially, but key questions loom

Although the past year brought more stability for the not-for-profit hospital sector, analysts foresee 2024 as a pivotal period in determining the viability of individual organizations. Fitch Ratings continues to describe the sector’s outlook as “Deteriorating.” In a year-end report, the credit-rating agency said downgrades of hospitals and health systems in 2023 had outpaced upgrades…

Nick Hut December 22, 2023
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