Government: Page 222
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Will boosting transparency cut spending by $100B?
Requiring various stakeholders to disclose prices could have a hefty impact on health care costs, but some studies suggest consumers may not take advantage of the data.
By Anne Zieger • May 27, 2014 -
Industry split over possible meaningful use delay
The AMA says it is concerned about the burden placed on doctors by the upgrades required for Stage 2, but some hospitals call the proposed delay "confusing."
By Randy Lilleston • May 23, 2014 -
Charitable premium subsidies: HHS finally has an answer
The administration will permit third-party payments of premiums — but there are some caveats.
By Katie Bo Williams • May 23, 2014 -
More training is the key to data security says Kaiser officer
The managed care company has had its fair share of breaches and is attempting to improve HIPAA compliance by increasing employee responsibility.
By Anne Zieger • May 22, 2014 -
CMS changes exchange rules to stabilize premiums
The new rule includes some pretty substantive changes, including adjustments to the risk corridors program, tougher navigator standards and others.
By Anne Zieger • May 22, 2014 -
CMS proposes extensions to meaningful use
But will the administration be able to move the rule through the approval process fast enough to prevent providers from facing penalties this year?
By Anne Zieger • May 21, 2014 -
AMA letter describes Medicare data limitations
Should physicians be given the opportunity to "correct and explain" their data? The AMA thinks so.
By Katie Bo Williams • May 19, 2014 -
Hospitals seek ways to attract affluent immigrants
Language interpreters, more menu options and foreign-language TV are among the options available at some hospitals, which are looking for ways to attract an increasingly diverse and prosperous patient base.
By Randy Lilleston • May 19, 2014 -
Deep Dive
How one insurer exposed Medicare ACOs' biggest flaw
Universal American has announced it will no longer fund unprofitable Medicare ACOs, highlighting the biggest weakness in the ACO model in the process. Is this the beginning of a trend?
By Katie Bo Williams • May 16, 2014 -
MA House proposes looser health IT requirements
The Massachusetts Medical Society believes the new rules would prevent the disenfranchisement of 10,000 physicians who can't achieve MU.
By Anne Zieger • May 15, 2014 -
OIG mulls monetary penalties for paperwork delays
Under the proposed rule, health care organizations would face fines for failing to grant the OIG timely access to documents needed to perform audits and investigations.
By Anne Zieger • May 13, 2014 -
California bill would permit undocumented immigrants to practice medicine
The legislation allows licensing boards to accept taxpayer identification numbers rather than Social Security numbers.
By Anne Zieger • May 13, 2014 -
FTC warns states that sharing of hospital discharge data is risky
Nearly all states collect de-identified discharge data, to draw health care comparisons across regions. But some private companies may be exploiting the data.
By Anne Zieger • May 12, 2014 -
Health exchange enrollment exceeds expectations in 22 states
Even if 15% of enrollees don't pay their premiums, the impact on providers will still be significant, according to Avalere Health.
By Anne Zieger • May 9, 2014 -
Hospitals hit with record $4.8M HIPAA fine
The pair unintentionally exposed the protected health information of 6,800 patients to the Internet.
By Anne Zieger • May 7, 2014 -
States expanding Medicaid managed care
Florida, Texas and other states that are not expanding Medicaid under the ACA are choosing to expand Medicaid managed care programs instead.
By Anne Zieger • May 6, 2014 -
Mortality plummeted with improved coverage in MA
A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that five years after Massachusetts implemented health reform, there was a 4.5% drop in death due to improved access.
By Anne Zieger • May 6, 2014 -
Deep Dive
Does HHS condone charitable premium subsidies or not?
Despite recent pressure from the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association, HHS has not issued any firm guidance on whether hospital-affiliated charitable foundations can offer premium subsidies for marketplace policies — leaving hospitals in the lurch.
By Anne Zieger • May 6, 2014 -
Gallup: US uninsured rate lowest since 2008
The uninsured rate has consistently declined since it peaked at 18% in the third quarter of 2013, according to Gallup.
By Anne Zieger • May 5, 2014 -
Fortune 500 firms to replace employer plans with exchange plans
Over the next six years, 90% of Fortune 500 companies will switch their health coverage to plans sold on the federal exchange, according to Standard & Poor Capital IQ.
By Anne Zieger • May 5, 2014 -
Despite ACA, Latino community accessing care in Mexico
Though many insurers have promoted their products to the Hispanic consumer market, enrollment has been far below expectations.
By Anne Zieger • May 5, 2014 -
HHS Office of Health Reform Director Mike Hash to resign
Hash is the third HHS official to step down within the last month.
By Anne Zieger • May 2, 2014 -
Health care spending rises 9.9% in three months
According to a report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the spike was largely driven by the use of more health services, prescriptions for higher-priced drugs and elective surgeries.
By Anne Zieger • May 1, 2014 -
Deep Dive
4 facts to consider before filing for the Medicare Shared Savings Program
ACOs must determine not only whether they can create savings sufficient to justify enrollment in the short term, but also how they will continue to operate a value-based model after they have maxed out their efficiencies.
By Katie Bo Williams • April 29, 2014 -
Deep Dive
Five states where nurse practitioners' privileges may be expanding
In response to widespread primary care physician shortages, many states are implementing legislation that would put NPs in a position to fill the gap.
By Anne Zieger • April 28, 2014
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