Tag Archives: CMS

Examining Waste in Healthcare (and One Method to Reduce It)

Researchers estimate that waste accounts for nearly 25 percent of our ever-increasing national healthcare spending. What constitutes “waste” and how might bundled payments help to reduce it?

CMS Announces New Payment Model for Regional Value-Based Care

In an effort to improve outcomes and decrease healthcare expenditures for Medicare patients, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new payment model to encourage regional preferred provider network growth. What should providers expect?

CMS Finalizes Policies to Expand Care Options and Settings

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced policy changes to expand at-home care, outpatient procedures, and telehealth. How might these new guidelines help hospitals facing a surge of patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

What Do Medicare-Aged Patients Want in Their Healthcare?

Within the next 20 years, 20 percent of Americans will be 65 or older. It is crucial that providers understand this demographic’s preferences. How can providers embrace technology, increase patient education, and treat the social determinants of health to account for this “silver tsunami?”

Final Rule Issued Regarding Price Transparency

The Trump administration has issued its final rule requiring that insurers and health plans disclose prices and cost-sharing information. What other mandates are included in the rule and why are critics pusing back?

Medicare Advantage for Independent Practices

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will decrease premiums and add more services to Medicare Advantage plans in 2021. Independent physicians and their traditional Medicare patients may benefit greatly from these changes should they decide to accept Medicare Advantage patients. What should physicians know before making the switch?

AMA Reports Insurer Markets “Highly Concentrated” and Increasing

A recent report by the American Medical Association (AMA) found that 74 percent of health insurance markets are highly concentrated — and that number is rising. What are the causes and potential consequences of concentration? Are premiums expected to increase in 2021?

CMS Savings Reaffirms the Need for Primary Care Support

A new study reveals social disparities among patient utilization of direct scheduling, which has been proven to improve continuity of care. How can independent physicians encourage patient enrollment in their patient portal and other online capabilities?

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