Government: Page 140
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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 -
Hospital groups press on with 340B lawsuit despite judge's decision
The changes to the 340B drug prescription program went into effect on Jan. 1 and will mean huge prescription payment cuts to hospitals.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 3, 2018 -
CMS proposes Medicare Advantage risk adjustment increase
The proposal would increase payments for MA members with mental health issues, substance use disorder and chronic kidney disease starting in 2019.
By Les Masterson • Jan. 2, 2018 -
CMS penalizes 751 hospitals over patient safety issues
More than half of hospitals were subject to Medicare cuts last year.
By Meg Bryant • Jan. 2, 2018 -
Deep Dive
Health systems brace for 2018 disruption
Look for more care in outpatient settings as hospitals consider cost containment and hiring strategies to stay above water.
By Jeff Byers , Shannon Muchmore , David Lim • Jan. 2, 2018 -
Deep Dive
Medical drones geared for take off
While still an emerging technology with strict regulations, drones could assist and supplement medical care plans, especially during catastrophic events.
By Meg Bryant • Dec. 29, 2017 -
States could play pivotal role in regulating association health plans
A new report from Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms offered ideas for how states can protect consumers and the insurance markets, depending on how much oversight the federal government allows.
By Les Masterson • Dec. 22, 2017 -
CMS updates hospital star ratings formula
The agency said the methodology changes will result in broader distribution of the ratings, increased reliability and more stable estimates.
By Shannon Muchmore • Dec. 22, 2017 -
ACA signups surge in last week, HealthCare.gov total at 8.8M
Many state-run exchanges are still enrolling people, which could result in overall enrollment for 2018 to potentially exceed 2017, according to Larry Levitt, senior vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation.
By David Lim • Dec. 21, 2017 -
Congress delays decision on CHIP renewal until next year
The program will run out of money in early 2018 if Congress doesn’t find a way to extend funding.
By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 21, 2017
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