Reimbursement

I often hear from hospitals that they’re being squeezed greatly on cost and not getting paid enough by government and private payers. I have some sympathy for this argument, but on the other hand somehow this country outspends every other country by at least two to one, and hospitals are a big part of the reason.

Republicans have had an easy time of criticizing the Administration’s healthcare overhaul plan, but when it comes to creating their own, the way has been politically treacherous.

Presidential candidates have begun lining up in the past month, as more Republicans declare their intentions of running. Several of them have strong ties to healthcare IT.

Community Health Systems has reportedly received a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission seeking documents related to its emergency room admissions and observations practices at its hospitals.

Federal officials have announced three new accountable care organization initiatives that they say could save Medicare $430 million over the next three years.

Employers can expect to see an 8.5 percent increase in healthcare costs in 2012, a slight increase from the 8 percent increase expected this year, according to a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute.

More than 700 Florida medical providers have recently enrolled in The Center for the Advancement of Health IT (AHIT), a regional extension center program, to receive help implementing electronic health record systems and achieving meaningful use.

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration faces a tight deadline to get a Medicaid waiver as it looks to transition Medicaid to a managed care program.

Mitt Romney has outlined his new health plan. He outlined five key steps in an op-ed in USAToday. Here is a summary: Step 1: Give states the responsibility, flexibility and resources to care for citizens who are poor, uninsured or chronically ill. Step 2: Reform the tax code to promote the individual ownership of health insurance.

Health Plan of Michigan has announced a patient-centered medical home incentive program that encourages providers to become PCMHs by providing financial assistance during the practice certification phase.