Transformers' push to modify pay must overcome legacy system
Even as value-based contracting proliferates, the financial incentives for hospitals and medical groups to eliminate waste and improve care have barely changed.
Duke's Robert Califf headed to key FDA deputy post
Dr. Robert Califf, 63, will become deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco at the Food and Drug Administration, effective in late February.
Data Points for Feb. 2, 2015
Data Points for the week of Feb. 2, 2015, covered the following topics: medical costs for chronic conditions, cervical cancer, Medicaid, coordinated care
Mednax buys Michigan anesthesiology group
Mednax, a national medical group based in Sunrise, Fla., has acquired Memac Associates, a private anesthesiologist group in Warren, Mich., as well as Synergy Anesthesia, a related entity.
University of California student health docs stage one-day strike
Physicians who practice at student health clinics on the 10 campuses of the University of California system raised concerns about staffing, student health fees and unfair labor practices during their first contract negotiations with the system.
Paying docs to manage care shows promise—but the pay is about to drop
The CMS Innovation Center's massive Comprehensive Primary Care initiative appeared to break even its first year, but there is concern that a planned reduction in its care-management fee this year could impede the fragile momentum it has built.
Medicare's payment reform push draws praise and fears
By 2018, half of Medicare spending outside of managed care will be tied to incentives to manage quality and costs, federal officials said Monday. That was greeted with enthusiasm but also with warnings that the effort will be wasted if the new models are too weak or built on flawed measures.
HHS sets goals for expanding new Medicare payment models
The Obama administration wants 30% of payments for traditional Medicare benefits to be tied to alternative payment models such as accountable care organizations by the end of 2016. The administration also has set a goal of hitting 50% by the end of 2018.
New Mexico appeals court to hear assisted-suicide case
The New Mexico Court of Appeals is set to hear arguments Monday in a case that could decide whether some terminally ill patients in the state can end their lives.
Be alert for measles symptoms after West Coast outbreak, CDC tells docs
The current measles outbreak is raising questions as to whether physicians should take a stronger stance against parents who choose not to vaccinate their children.
AMA-led group asks feds to redo EHR testing program
The American Medical Association is calling for an overhaul of a federal program to test and certify electronic health-record systems for suitability in the EHR incentive-payment program. Its request has been joined by 34 other medical specialty societies and healthcare professional organizations.
Medicaid pay bump helps beneficiaries get appointments
Increasing Medicaid reimbursement for primary-care services to match Medicare rates led to increases in appointments for Medicaid patients, a new study finds.
