A new study by the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) of nearly 250 hospitals that were acquired between 2009 and 2013 found no evidence that the ownership change improved their quality of care. Compared to peer hospitals that were not acquired, the acquired hospitals actually performed worse on patient experience measures after the...
To help clinicians understand how to participate in the Quality Payment Program (QPP) for 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted Quick Start Guides. Click on hyperlinks for immediate downloads now available: MIPS Overview Eligibility and Participation Part B Claims Reporting Quality Performance Category Promoting Interoperability Performance Category Improvement...
On Dec. 11, the House Ways and Means Committee issued an outline of that panel’s bipartisan proposal for addressing surprise medical bills. Some details are vague, and it could be after the holidays before we see legislative language. Nonetheless, the committee’s approach offers significant differences from the recently issued agreement reached between the House Energy & Commerce...
On Nov. 12, 2019, CMS released a proposed rule aimed at strengthening oversight and fiscal integrity in the Medicaid program. The proposal was published in the Federal Register on Nov. 18. The proposed rule seeks greater transparency and accountability in Medicaid fee-for-service provider payments; disproportionate share hospital payments; Medicaid program financing; supplemental payments; and...