Reimbursement
In the end, the program has shifted money away from physicians who treated sicker, poorer patients to pay for bonuses that rewarded practices treating richer, healthier populations.
Physicians often lack training on how to deal with patient requests, which can impact patient satisfaction survey results that help determine physician payment.
CMS Administrator Seema Verma said the agency will announce new voluntary payment bundles soon.
As the popularity, and profitability, of urine tests has expanded, so has the potential for fraud and malpractice.
Layoffs for workers in Delaware follow hundreds in Phoenix earlier this month after loss of TriCare contract.
So far this in this year, 2.78 million consumers have signed up for health plans.
Despite growth of these plans, price shopping, cost discussions with doctors are rarely happening, researchers find.
But study suggests the U.S. as a whole is not doing particularly well when it comes to pulling back on outdated procedures.
Integration with providers, narrow network ACO models, speaking members' languages and improving patient experience all key to earning, and keeping, an overall 5-star rating.
In 25 states starting in 2019, plans will be able to provide Medicare beneficiaries with more choices and lower cost, CMS says.