How insurers can speed up adoption of evidence-based care
Research by the Alliance of Community Health Plans revealed five best practices for health plans that want to influence and support physicians in the exam room.
CMS may allow hospitals to pay for housing through Medicaid
By Paul Barr and Virgil DicksonThe CMS might allow hospitals and health systems to pay directly for housing, healthy food or other solutions for the "whole person" through the Medicaid program, according to HHS Secretary Alex Azar.
Hospitals are ill-equipped to treat behavioral health, ECRI finds
Many hospitals aren't equipped to treat patients with behavioral health needs, according to a new report by the ECRI Institute Patient Safety Organization.
Research
Medicaid birthing model yields success for CMS
A federal initiative targeting pregnant Medicaid patients reduced medical costs for both mothers and their babies.
Providers
CMS to ask if HIPAA is a barrier to care coordination
The CMS has drafted a request for information on what barriers HIPAA regulations are posing for care coordination efforts.
Insurance
HealthCare.gov open enrollment sign-ups still trailing last year
Almost 1.2 million people signed up for Affordable Care Act exchange coverage during the first two weeks of open enrollment, according to the CMS.
Government
Medicaid OKs Michigan waiver to negotiate drug prices based on outcomes
The CMS gave the green light to Michigan Medicaid's outcome-based drug proposal, the second of its kind. Oklahoma has yet to forecast savings from its similar state plan amendment approved in June.
Finance
Athenahealth sale highlights EHR consolidation trend
EHR companies like Athenahealth, which was just sold for $5.7 billion, are turning to consolidation to stay afloat in a saturated market.
Technology
In first Cerner installations, VA faces technology stumbling blocks
In a House hearing, VA officials were adamant that the project to replace the agency's EHR with one made by Cerner will progress successfully. But cost estimates for the project have skyrocketed, hitting $16 billion from an initial $10 billion.
Transformation
Bellin Health builds primary-care teams to boost physician, patient satisfaction
A key element is adding support staff and increasing their care responsibilities to enable physicians to see more patients more efficiently.
Safety & Quality
Mercy Health and Ohio State's Wexner Medical ally against opioids
The Healthy State Alliance identified 10 objectives to improve care in Ohio, with opioids, transplant services and cancer care topping the list.
People
Editorial: Physicians are right to speak out on reducing gun violence
Physicians who tend to the nation's gunshot victims pushed back against an NRA tweet telling them to "stay in their lane" after the American College of Physicians updated its positions on reducing gun injuries and deaths.
Surveys
Executive Compensation: 2018
A Special Feature on the nation's compensation for healthcare executives, selected titles. Source: Sullivan, Cotter and Associates.
