Healthcare Headlines Blog

Virtual Doctor Visits Are Getting More Popular, But Questions Remain About Who Pays

Provisions within the federal budget law Congress passed this year expands the use of telemedicine, which could go mainstream within 5 to 10 years. Read more

Study: More Practices Employing Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants 

According to a study reported in JAMA Internal Medicine, more practices are employing nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Read more

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The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA18) was passed into law earlier this year and, while referred to as a “budget deal,” it is also the most significant piece of healthcare legislation passed since 2016. Read Full Post

Advisory Panel Recommends Physician-Focused Payment Models to HHS

The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee recently submitted four recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services. Read more

CMS Says Quality Payment Program Exceeds Year 1 Participation Goal

A recent publication from Administrator Seema Verma of the CMS states that more than 90% of clinicians eligible for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System participated in the first year of the Quality Payment Program. Read more

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Studies show that keeping hospital patients in bed or in a chair can increase the likelihood of muscle atrophy, blood clots and bed sores. For some patients, immobilization – even for a few days – can lead to a permanent functional decline.

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Report Highlights Hospital Quality Improvement Gains

According to the latest report, unplanned hospital readmissions dropped by 70,000 for Medicare Part C patients between 2011 and 2015, avoiding more than $1 billion in healthcare costs. Read more

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In 2018, seismic changes taking place in healthcare will help trigger the evolution of our nation’s healthcare system, including services available to the aging population.

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Uber Launches Ride Service Tailored to Health Care Providers

UberHealth hits the market, enabling health care providers to hail on-demand and scheduled rides for patients. Uber is hoping to help reduce missed appointments and the trickledown effect they have on healthcare spending. Read more

Assuming Risk Key to Medicare Savings Under New Payment Models

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) only generate savings for the government if they accept risk, according to an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Read more

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Errors during the exchange of patient information between acute and post-acute settings often lead to higher patient and family dissatisfaction, an increased risk of readmission and higher costs of care. Due to the lack of electronic medical record adoption and overall system limitations to meet the needs of complex patients, providers must consider all options to improve acute to post-acute information exchange. Read Full Post

CMS unveils new bundled payment model: Here's what you need to know

The CMS' new voluntary bundled-payment model increases the potential of financial bonuses and greater flexibility for health systems and physicians. Read more to find out how you could benefit.

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The Data Are In, But Debate Rages: Are Hospital Readmission Penalties A Good Idea?

Research has begun to assess the impacts of financial incentives for hospitals to reduce readmissions. Preliminary data is coming in and already experts, looking at the same numbers, are reaching different conclusions. Read more

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