Government: Page 136
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Medicare out-of-pocket costs seen rising to half of senior income
Older people in poor health, women and lower-income Americans are paying higher percentages of their per capita income on out-of-pocket Medicare costs.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 30, 2018 -
Amazon, JPM, Berkshire form new company to tackle health costs
The corporate giants gave few details about the new venture, but said the initial focus will be technology solutions to provide their stateside employees with high-quality, low-cost healthcare.
By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 30, 2018 -
Medicare Advantage membership grows almost 8%
The market is still dominated by a handful of payers and online provider directory errors remain a problem for MA.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 30, 2018 -
Meaningful use most helpful for routine care: survey
A 2015 survey of 480 family physicians found that 18 of 31 MU criteria were considered useful for more than half of patient encounters, with 13 of those useful for more than two-thirds.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 29, 2018 -
Most hospitals will see Part B revenue increase despite 340B cut
The findings from Avalere come as hospitals challenge the 340B drug payment cut in court.
By David Lim • Jan. 29, 2018 -
CMS cost measure makes some Medicare Advantage plans pricier
The authors of a new Health Affairs analysis suggest limiting benchmark cost data to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in both Part A and Part B.
By Meg Bryant • Jan. 26, 2018 -
New York, Minnesota sue Trump administration over Basic Health Plan cuts
Both state's attorneys general say the HHS is withholding legally-required funding owed to the states.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 26, 2018 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
HHS touts regulatory rollbacks under Trump's first year
A 37-page report highlights priorities for the Trump administration, most of which have sharply divided the industry.
By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 26, 2018 -
One Brooklyn Health wins $664M to develop 32-site ambulatory network
"This holistic investment creates a sustainable, unified health care system to empower historically underserved communities, support health and wellness and ensure a brighter future for the people of Brooklyn," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
By David Lim • Jan. 26, 2018 -
Medicaid could play key role in addressing social factors in healthcare
Many Medicaid programs collect data for social determinants of health, but not often in an organized way, according to a report from the National Qualify Forum.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 26, 2018 -
Blue Cross of North Carolina opposes Carolinas-UNC merger
In a letter to the two health systems, BCBS CEO Dr. Patrick Conway said the deal would increase patient costs.
By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 25, 2018 -
Pent-up needs may fuel Medicaid expansion costs: Avalere
In other Medicaid news, a group of Kentucky residents is suing HHS over the recent work requirement waiver.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 24, 2018 -
Azar confirmed as HHS secretary in bipartisan vote
The former Eli Lilly executive, attacked by some critics as too cozy with the pharmaceutical industry, has said he will make drug prices a top priority and has expressed openness to mandatory bundles.
By David Lim • Jan. 24, 2018 -
ACA helped reduce out-of-pocket costs: JAMA
Many low-income Americans, however, still face high out-of-pocket costs.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 24, 2018 -
CMS, VA to share data to prevent healthcare fraud
The partnership is the latest in federal agency steps to increase healthcare fraud and misuse prevention efforts.
By Jeff Byers • Jan. 24, 2018 -
Deep Dive
Providers make efforts, but cuts to low-value care elusive
Healthcare stakeholders know they should cut low-value services, but there are multiple obstacles to overcome.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 24, 2018 -
New York proposes Medicaid payment cuts to payers with large reserves
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is also suggesting a 14% tax on for-profit payers and requesting New York get "a cut of the proceeds when nonprofit insurers convert to for-profit companies."
By Les Masterson • Jan. 23, 2018 -
Medicaid buy-in could expand choices, lower premiums for a few states
The Urban Institute analyzed a buy-in proposal backed by Democrats eyeing a 2020 run.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 23, 2018 -
CHIP renewed 6 years, ACA taxes delayed under spending pact
Congress will need to approve another spending bill by Feb. 8, and it may include additional healthcare measures.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 23, 2018 -
EHRs can nudge docs toward prescribing fewer opioids, study finds
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine created a default system that physicians could overrule to prescribe more tablets, but the report found fewer opioids prescribed above the default limit.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 22, 2018 -
Deep Dive
Providers go deeper with population health, weighing social factors
Healthcare organizations are waking up to the importance of social determinants of health, like housing and nutrition.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 22, 2018 -
UPDATED: Shutdown ends after half of HHS staff furloughed
Congress voted to fund the government until Feb 8.
By David Lim • Jan. 22, 2018 -
VA proposal looks to ease EHR exchanges with private providers
Under the suggested rule, outside providers would no longer be required to have a physical copy of consent from a VA patient to obtain EHR data from the VA.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 22, 2018 -
Rural hospitals need flexible policies to survive, report says
The paper called for opportunities that let rural communities define their own needs and service sets, including transforming some hospitals from small inpatient care centers to new models like rural emergency centers.
By Meg Bryant • Jan. 18, 2018 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
Trump creates HHS Conscience and Religious Freedom unit, sparking protest
Many are worried the new division will give physicians permission to refuse to perform services such as abortion or sex reassignment surgeries.
By Jeff Byers • Jan. 18, 2018
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