Government: Page 146
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Trump administration to cut off CSR payments, dealing blow to ACA
The move to eliminate CSRs, which help insurers finance out-of-pocket healthcare costs for low-income consumers, could destabilize the ACA exchanges after Republicans were unable to repeal the law through legislation.
By Jeff Byers , Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 13, 2017 -
Trump undercuts ACA with new plan options
An executive order will allow for health plans that do not have essential benefits or protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 12, 2017 -
Analysis: Is healthcare spending growth past the ACA bump?
A new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation blog post notes hospital spending growth has slowed as payers have pushed for more outpatient services.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 11, 2017 -
Medicare Advantage star ratings show little change
The number of top performing plans decreased from 49% in 2017 to 44% this year, but the percentage of enrollees in those plans increased.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 11, 2017 -
Hospitals defend 340B drug program amid scrutiny
Lawmakers are calling for more oversight as questions arise over whether savings from the program are being used as intended, but hospitals say the concerns are overblown.
By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 11, 2017 -
AHA report: Hospitals more than make up for their tax-exempt status
The analysis used data from tax forms, community benefit reports and Medicare cost reports from nearly 3,000 non-profit general hospitals.
By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 11, 2017 -
Deep Dive
Investors are approaching hospital stocks cautiously
Some unfavorable financial trends and an air of uncertainty for healthcare's future in Congress has led to an environment not particularly friendly for major investment.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 10, 2017 -
UnitedHealth survey: Most Americans don't understand basic health plan terms
The survey also found a large increase in the number of people using the internet and mobile apps to compare health prices.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 10, 2017 -
Americans aren't getting healthcare price information, according to survey
Many respondents who said they requested the information didn't actually get what they needed from providers.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 9, 2017 -
MedPAC pushes for MIPS repeal
Members of the commission said MIPS is too complex and won't achieve the goal of improving patient care.
By Les Masterson • Oct. 9, 2017 -
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
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