Government: Page 225
-
Medicare Advantage bids hint at 2015 changes
Health plans submitting Medicare bids by the June 2 deadline faced tough choices, and the result is shrinking provider networks, premium hikes and benefit cuts.
By Judy Packer-Tursman • June 3, 2014 -
Deep Dive
To AMA, Medicare data too raw to use
Given the legitimate limitations heralded by the organization, what can the data set actually tell health care? More than you might think.
By Katie Bo Williams • June 3, 2014 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Getty Images
TrendlineSurprise Billing
Federal legislation banning surprise bills has hit a barrage of roadblocks, complicating efforts to protect consumers from unexpected out-of-network charges.
By Healthcare Dive staff -
Medicare will now cover sex change surgery
The new rule is the third in a series of HHS decisions this year expanding coverage for the LGBT community. What impact will it have on private payers and Medicare's bottom line?
By Katie Bo Williams • June 3, 2014 -
CMS updates Medicare hospital charge data
The update is part of a suite of new data products released in the name of transparency — but will they be useful?
By Katie Bo Williams • June 3, 2014 -
Doc shortage to blame for Veterans scandal?
As Veterans Affairs hospitals struggle to employ enough primary care physicians to treat their expanding patient base, the department's woes highlight two important industry-wide trends.
By Katie Bo Williams • June 2, 2014 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
ONC announces reorganization
The restructure has combined 17 offices into 10 new ones in an attempt to "provide a flatter and more accountable reporting structure."
By Katie Bo Williams • June 2, 2014 -
Veterans Affairs secretary Eric Shinseki resigns
The resignation comes in the wake of the ongoing scandal that has uncovered widespread (and sometimes deadly) department inadequacies.
By Katie Bo Williams • May 30, 2014 -
Upcoding to blame for $6.7B in Medicare overpayments?
The OIG concluded that 26% of 2010 claims reflected a higher level of severity than what was justified by the patient's record, indicating a widespread (and very expensive) problem.
By Anne Zieger • May 30, 2014 -
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
Previous
