Government: Page 144
-
Specialists risk wide swing in payments under MIPS proposal, Avalere says
Rheumatologists, oncologists and ophthalmologists are among specialists who bill for more Part B drugs, which could be included in calculating MIPS adjustments for performance year 2018.
By Meg Bryant • Oct. 6, 2017 -
AHA says OIG compliance reviews are fundamentally flawed
The hospital group said serious problems in the federal government review process result in grossly overstated repayment demands, harm hospital reputations and sap time and resources from patient care.
By Meg Bryant • Oct. 6, 2017 -
Many Medicare Advantage members have narrow provider networks
A Kaiser Family Foundation study found that Medicare Advantage physician network size varies greatly.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 5, 2017 -
Deep Dive
Ending DACA would damage the provider workforce
An end to protection for those brought to the U.S. as children wouldn't directly impact a large number of would-be health professionals, but it would worsen provider shortage issues, particularly in already underserved areas.
By Meg Bryant • Oct. 5, 2017 -
CHIP reauthorization moves forward, but slowly
Bills to finance the Children's Health Insurance Program passed in both House and Senate committees Wednesday, but there are disagreements over exactly how to pay for the program going forward.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 5, 2017 -
Study: Freestanding EDs not filling gaps in emergency care
The report published in Health Affairs found that freestanding EDs often go into areas with high incomes and high insurance coverage rates.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 4, 2017 -
Cleveland Clinic, Humana launch co-branded Medicare Advantage plans
The partnership is the latest in a string of hospitals and health systems working with payers on insurance products.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 3, 2017 -
Deep Dive
Why providers should choose their MACRA tools wisely
“This is not a year-by-year, check-the-box program that you can wash clean year after year,” says Tom Lee, CEO of health IT firm SA Ignite.
By Meg Bryant • Oct. 3, 2017 -
Study: Unnecessary health spending fueled by low-cost, low-value services
Authors of the new report suggest reducing these services would not be as “politically charged” as reducing the more high-profile services that are of lower value.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 3, 2017 -
With Price out at HHS, talk turns to replacement candidates
Names being circulated include FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and CMS Administrator Seema Verma.
By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 2, 2017 -
VA proposes exempting its providers from state telehealth restrictions
The agency has been quite active on telehealth recently as it works to improve care for veterans in rural areas and remove hurdles to accessing care.
By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 2, 2017 -
Report: For-profit hospitals hurt by regulations, cost-cutting pressures
Fitch Ratings said federal and state regulations are creating an "unpredictable operating environment" around for-profit hospitals.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 2, 2017 -
Medicare Advantage will have more enrollment, lower premiums in 2018
The CMS expects slightly more than one-third of Medicare enrollees will have an MA plan next year.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 2, 2017 -
Congress misses deadline to reauthorize CHIP
Lawmakers are set to discuss reauthorization this week, but at least three states would run out of CHIP funding by the end of this year if Congress fails to take action.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 2, 2017 -
Tenet Medicaid kickback scheme draws new charges
The case alleges improper referrals of pregnant women to Tenet hospitals.
By Meg Bryant • Sept. 29, 2017 -
HHS Secretary Tom Price resigns
Dr. Don Wright, the deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, will become acting HHS secretary.
By Shannon Muchmore • Sept. 29, 2017 -
Puerto Rico's healthcare system struggling to recover from hurricane devastation
Hospitals must rely on diesel-fueled generators to power lights and life-saving equipment.
By Meg Bryant • Sept. 28, 2017 -
Report recommends CSR funding, resinsurance programs to stabilize ACA exchange market
For a more long-term solution, the study from the Urban Institute recommends slowing the market to reduce consumer premium and out-of-pocket costs as well as payer risk.
By Shannon Muchmore • Sept. 28, 2017 -
Aetna CEO advocates improving health at the community level
The payer's foundation helped launch a program last year that rewards small and mid-sized communities seed money to develop evidence-based strategies for improving measurable health outcomes.
By Shannon Muchmore • Sept. 28, 2017 -
Moody's: 340B payment cuts would hurt nonprofit hospitals
HHS said Thursday it will continue to delay implementing drug ceiling prices and penalties for manufacturers overcharging providers.
By Les Masterson • Sept. 28, 2017 -
All US counties seem to have at least one ACA plan option
Payers had until Wednesday to sign federal agreements to offer ACA plans in 2018.
By Les Masterson • Sept. 28, 2017 -
CMS delays star ratings update again, says AHA
The agency “decided not to proceed with the October update to continue its examination of potential changes to the Star Rating methodology based on public feedback,” according to the AHA.
By Shannon Muchmore • Sept. 27, 2017 -
Out-of-pocket healthcare costs straining Americans' finances
People are delaying healthcare payments until they have enough money to pay their out-of-pocket medical costs.
By Les Masterson • Sept. 27, 2017 -
Senator demands answers from Envision about surprise billing
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) sent a letter to Envision Healthcare asking questions about its subsidiary EmCare, one of the country’s largest physician-staffing companies for ERs, and the practice of surprise billing.
By Les Masterson • Sept. 26, 2017 -
No vote for Graham-Cassidy ACA repeal bill
Congress has another looming healthcare deadline, as authorization for the Children's Health Insurance Program ends this week.
By Shannon Muchmore • Sept. 26, 2017
Previous
