Focus on usability, interoperability to help reduce health IT burden, groups tell ONC

Stakeholders also urged ONC to consider artificial intelligence tools as a means of relieving hassles from EHR use.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 29, 2019

Integrate, bolster finances to break down silos in care, think tank suggests

The Bipartisan Policy Center also recommended increased federal spending and improved care coordination as methods for removing barriers between behavioral health and other services.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 28, 2019

Doctors less likely to accept Medicaid than other insurance

MACPAC found no difference in Medicaid acceptance between doctors in states that expanded the program under the ACA and those that didn't — except with OB-GYNs.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 28, 2019

JAMA study makes case for investing in primary care

People with primary care receive more high-value care, slightly more low-value care and report better healthcare experiences than those without primary care, according to a new study in JAMA Internal Medicine.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 28, 2019

Medicaid advisory panel calls for phasing in DSH allotment reductions

The suggestions also include changes in how disproportionate share hospital spending is allocated, and are projected to save the government anywhere from $1 billion to $5 billion over the next decade.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 25, 2019

ACA exchanges showing stability after rocky years

More payers are offering Affordable Care Act plans and premium increases are relatively modest despite attempts from Washington to undermine the law, according to a report from the Urban Institute.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 25, 2019

How the shutdown is hitting healthcare: rural hospitals, public health, ACA credits

One potential problem is delayed processing of tax credits to help people pay for health insurance premiums in Affordable Care Act exchange plans.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 24, 2019

Number of uninsured adults reaches post-ACA high

The uninsured rate reached a four-year high at nearly 14% in the fourth quarter of last year, according to a new Gallup poll.

By Tony Abraham , Samantha Liss • Jan. 23, 2019

Downside risk spurs provider exodus in bundled payment models, GAO says

The watchdog also found provider groups participating in any of the six bundled payment models from CMS had larger practices and higher care episode volume on average, and were more likely to be located in urban areas.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 23, 2019

CMS approves 8th state for Medicaid work requirement

Arizona's policy is expected to begin in 2020 and affect about 120,000 residents.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 22, 2019

CMS pitches new MA and Part D voluntary payment models

The MA model will test new service delivery approaches, including telehealth expansion, while the Part D model aims to control catastrophic drug spending by front-loading insurers with higher risk. 

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 18, 2019

Opioid marketing leads to more prescriptions, deaths, says JAMA study

More marketing interactions with physicians led to more prescriptions. 

By Les Masterson • Jan. 18, 2019

CVS, Walmart resolve spat over pharmacy benefit pricing

The pact comes days after the two heavyweights said they'd hit a stalemate in contract negotiations.

By Kim Dixon • Jan. 18, 2019

CMS cuts ACA exchange fees, floats proposal to end silver-loading

While no regulations limiting or banning auto-enrollment and silver-loading are contained in the rule, the agency has requested public comment on the two issues for consideration in future rules before 2021.

By Tony Abraham • Jan. 18, 2019

ONC releases 2019 Interoperability Standards Advisory

The latest edition includes a new interoperability need for sending prescriptions to pharmacies for controlled substances.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 17, 2019

Nearly half of doctors feel burned out, Medscape survey shows

Urologists, neurologists and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists have the highest burnout levels, according to the report.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 17, 2019

Key House Democrat to focus on ACA, drug prices this year

With Democrats now in power of the chamber, the new chairwoman of a crucial oversight subcommittee laid out her priorities, including proposals she argues will bolster medical device safety.

By David Lim • Jan. 17, 2019

No single solution to patient matching challenge, GAO says

Questions about the accuracy of digital matching tools force providers to recheck results manually, according to the government watchdog.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 16, 2019

Massachusetts will ask Medicaid patients to rate their doctors

Nearly 250,000 beneficiaries will receive questions about primary care, mental health treatment and long-term care services in what the state says is a first-of-its-kind project.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 16, 2019

How a 'regulatory dead zone' may be holding up copycat insulin

The FDA has talked up biosimilars' potential impact on the insulin market, but changing regulations have complicated matters for would-be competitors.

By Andrew Dunn • Jan. 16, 2019

Traditional players focused on value-based care, interoperability to drive innovation, experts argue

Four panelists agreed Wednesday that the Trump administration is making some headway in initiatives that prioritize quality over quantity of care, but it's not enough.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 16, 2019

Democrats riding in on blue wave seek more liberal state, local health policies

Public health insurance options, individual mandates and a variety of Medicaid expansion plans are all on the table as newly installed governors and other officials announce their goals for the year.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 15, 2019

CVS chief says industry disruption should come from within

During an address in D.C. on Monday, the pharmacy chain's CEO Larry Merlo touched on challenges facing the industry and announced a five-year $100 million commitment to bolster healthcare resources in local communities.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 15, 2019

Louisiana launching 'Netflix model' in Medicaid for hepatitis C drugs

The state is looking for a pharmaceutical partner on the project that will cap state spending on expensive treatments for the disease.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 14, 2019

About 1 in 5 healthcare payments is tied to value-based model

Participation in major clinical registries is growing on average 7% annually, according to the new paper on quality initiatives and resource needs. Tracking quality measures through registries is a critical step to value-based payments.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 11, 2019