Reimbursement
Giving exchange consumers concise information on the medical benefits and overall ratings of a health plan makes them more likely to select a higher-quality product, according to a new Health Affairs report.
Despite recent attention to rising pharmaceutical prices, a new study claims the total costs of treating patients with cancer in the United States have risen no faster than overall costs for Medicare and commercial insurance in the past decade.
The total 3.05 percent rate is less than the total 3.55 percent CMS proposed in February.
A majority of Americans, between 58 and 71 percent, don't see price and care as intricately linked, according to findings published in Health Affairs. However, a substantial minority, 21 to 24 percent, believe there is some correlation. Eight to 16 percent said they didn't know.
UnitedHealthcare is betting $65 million that it can profit by making primary care more attractive.
While healthcare provider directories have always been hard to maintain, new regulations can mean costly fines if insurers fail to keep accurate, up-to-date information on the physicians who are in their health plans.
Starting April 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will pay an estimated 800 hospitals across 67 metro areas bundled payments for inpatient knee and hip surgeries.
Tucked in remarks the president made Tuesday on the opioid epidemic was his announcement of a new task force on mental health parity -- aimed at ensuring that people with mental illnesses and substance abuse problems don't face discrimination in the health care system.
More wages, less health insurance. In a recent survey, one in five people with employer-based coverage said they would opt for fewer health benefits if they could get a bump in their wages. That's double the percentage who said they would make that choice in 2012.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will requiring states to provide mental health and substance abuse assistance as they would any other medical services for low-income adults and children.