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

Risk-Averse ACOs Miss Out On Nearly $1 Billion In Savings

Under MACRA, the majority of accountable care organizations in zero-risk contracts would benefit from an additional $966 million in savings if they took on downside risk, according to a new report. Read the full analysis here.

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

CMS Adds Star Ratings, Patient Experience To Physician Compare Site

Patient experience scores and star ratings have been added to the Physician Compare website for patients and caregivers to review. The site will now display physicians' 2016 performance under the Physician Quality Reporting System as star ratings as well as feature "group pages" that show the overall performance of a physician practice instead of individual doctors. Read more

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Primary care physicians increasingly play a key role in Healthcare Reform and other efforts encouraging innovative approaches to care for a rapidly aging population. These initiatives share a common goal of improving patient outcomes, preventing hospitalizations and reducing costs to the system. Read Full Post

If you aren’t ready for the impact of MACRA, now is the time to prepare. Even though the CMS released the final rule on MACRA implementation in 2016, and the first performance period under MACRA began in January 2017, there still seems to be a lot of confusion as to what it actually is. Read Full Post

Report: Hospitals Enhance Antibiotics Stewardship, Continue To Reduce MRSA

According to a report released yesterday by the Department of Health and Human Services, hospitals are enhancing their antibiotic stewardship programs to incorporate the core elements recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more

Verma announces CMS initiative to revise, simplify quality measures under federal health care programs

CMS recently announced a new federal initiative aimed to simplify quality measures, reduce regulatory burdens, and prompt innovation in the health care industry as it moves toward value-based payments. Read more

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CMS Wants Docs To Spend More Time On Patients, Less On Paperwork

CMS just launched an initiative aimed to resolve the growing concerns that its regulations are reducing the time providers spend with patients. Read more

Are Patient-Centered Medical Homes Living Up to the Hype?

Ten years after the creation of "patient-centered medical home," this article reviews how they are measuring up to the original goals. Read more

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Burnout Among Hospitalists

Study reveals that burnout rates among hospitalists compared with those of general internists who practice in outpatient settings do not differ greatly; however, the groups do differ in the top symptoms they experience. Read more

HHS Hints At Major Changes To Medicare That Could Mean Higher Costs For Patients

The current administration is indicating it will pursue significant changes to Medicare that could increase costs for beneficiaries. In a recent informal proposal, officials hinted at several new pilot programs they are considering. Read more

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