Trump administration had own plan to sabotage ACA

A Democratic senator made public a document from March that outlines a plan to use executive orders and policy changes to take apart the ACA.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 12, 2018

Trump admin's new bundle bid shows value-based care's staying power

Advocates of value-based payment reform breathed a sigh of relief last week when CMS announced a new bundled payment model.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 12, 2018

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Labor

Hospitals are navigating persistent labor shortages with the need to cut costs — a source of contention that could leave patients caught in the middle.

By Healthcare Dive staff

FDA lays out digital health goals in 2018 strategic roadmap

The agency will continue to build out its Pre-Certification Pilot Program to help encourage the development of digital health tools.

By David Lim • Jan. 12, 2018

Loss of net neutrality could slow telehealth access

"The ability for hospitals to access internet service providers and bandwidth is a 'has to' in healthcare," says Eagle Telemedicine COO Robert Annas.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 11, 2018

AHA, health systems appeal 340B decision

The House Energy & Commerce Committee issued a report Wednesday that offered a series of suggestions to improve oversight of the program that gives drug discounts to some hospitals.   

By Les Masterson • Jan. 11, 2018

CMS goes all in on Medicaid work requirements

At least ten states are considering section 1115 Medicaid waivers that require enrollees to have a job, train for a job or participate in community activities like volunteer work.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 11, 2018

ACOs flock to Medicare Shared Savings Program

Most of the ACOs in a risk-based contract chose Track 1+, which is the latest risk model.   

By Les Masterson • Jan. 11, 2018

CMS extends Maryland all-payer program for another year

Maryland is working with the agency on a larger proposal to include outpatient services.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 10, 2018

Payers with ACA plans expected to have relatively strong year

Experts predict a fairly stable 2018 for the individual market, as long as Congress doesn't try another "repeal and replace" effort or make more moves that might destabilize the exchanges. 

By Les Masterson • Jan. 10, 2018

CMS launches new, voluntary bundled payment model

The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced program will be considered an advanced alternative payment model for the purposes of MACRA reporting.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 10, 2018

Azar talks list prices, mandatory Medicare pilots

The nominee for HHS secretary identified high drug prices and shifting payment models to reward health outcomes as among his top priorities.

By David Lim • Jan. 9, 2018

Health Affairs: Ending Medicaid expansion would cause rural hospitals to go under

Researchers found Medicaid expansion improved hospital finances and meant a substantially lower chance that hospitals — especially rural facilities — closed.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 9, 2018

GAO: CMS must improve state-reported data collection for Medicaid

“CMS has taken steps for the initial use of T-MSIS data, but does not have a plan or associated timeframes for using these data for oversight,” GAO said.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 9, 2018

Large health systems speak out about MACRA

Larger companies questioned the burden MACRA will put on providers and also whether low-volume exemptions will slow Medicare's transition to a value-based system.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 8, 2018

CBO: Needed CHIP funding drastically reduced due to individual mandate repeal

The Senate bill that would reauthorize CHIP would increase the deficit by $0.8 billion over 2018-2027 rather than the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation's previous $8.2 billion estimate.

By David Lim • Jan. 8, 2018

Avalere: Value-based care movement will overcome speed bumps this year

The annual report predicted a year full of changes to the healthcare system, including additional attempts to repeal the ACA, mergers and technological changes.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 8, 2018

Uncompensated care increased for community hospitals in 2016

An AHA report found that 4,840 community hospitals provided a total of $38.3 billion in uncompensated care in 2016, up from $35.7 billion in 2015.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 8, 2018

Study finds huge price swings at Minnesota hospitals

The Minnesota study is part of a growing movement to increase healthcare price transparency across the country.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 5, 2018

Trump rule would expand association health plans

Supporters say the move would allow for more affordable health insurance options, but critics charge that expanding association health plans will weaken consumer protections and hurt the individual exchange market.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 4, 2018

Advocacy groups slam Azar ahead of committee hearing next week

The groups argue HHS Secretary nominee Alex Azar’s stances on the ACA and prescription drug costs are incompatible with being a "credible advocate for patients." But the nominee still appears to be on track for full Senate consideration.

By David Lim • Jan. 4, 2018

Outcomes, costs vary for coronary procedures at VA and non-VA hospitals

The reasons for the cost differences are somewhat elusive, the JAMA Cardiology study concluded.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 4, 2018

CMS to docs: Texting orders banned, with a clarification

The memo to state survey agencies maintains the ban on texting patient orders.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 3, 2018

Colorado law requires hospitals post prices for common procedures

Beginning Jan. 1, state hospitals must provide self-pay pricing information for the 50 most used diagnosis-related group codes and 25 most-used procedural technology billing codes.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 3, 2018

Spark sets precedent with outcomes models, $850K gene therapy price tag

CMS to weigh plan to allow the company to offer payers the option to spread payments over multiple years in a payment-plan type model for Luxturna.

By Lisa LaMotta • Jan. 3, 2018

2.3% medical device tax resumes after 2-year hiatus

The controversial tax was among several levies as part of the Affordable Care Act.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 3, 2018