Author's posts
HHS updates interoperability standards to support sexual orientation, SDOH
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has updated the United States Core Data for Interoperability — a standardized set of health data classes and constituent data elemen…
House Oversight Committee criticizes drugmaker stock buybacks; says Medicare should have negotiating power
The House Oversight Committee released a report this week criticizing drugmakers’ stock buybacks, finding that 14 large pharmaceutical companies spent roughly $577 billion on such buybacks and dividends from 2016 to 2020.
BCBS Rhode Island teams with Women’s Medical Collaborative to improve behavioral health access
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island has announced a new pilot program intended to make it easier for members to receive behavioral healthcare through a collaboration between primary care providers and behavioral health practitioners.
The pilot inco…
Humana, Signify Health team up to address social care for Medicare Advantage members
Humana and Signify Health have begun working together with the Alamo Area Community Network to support Humana Medicare Advantage members in San Antonio through AACN’s community resources, and by connecting those in need with health-related social servi…
Only 20 states used health equity committees in COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning
During the large second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in fall 2020, pulmonologist and critical care provider Dr. Juan Rojas reflected on how disproportionately members of minority populations were being affected by the disease. After hearing similar th…
CMS announces new director for Center of Medicare
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced this week that Dr. Meena Seshamani will serve as Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare.
Seshamani will lead the center in its stated goal of serving people 65 or older, pe…
Lottery-based incentives do not increase COVID-19 vaccination rates
With COVID-19 vaccinations slowing to a crawl relative to the rush that occurred when the vaccines first became available, some states and governments are offering cash and prize incentives for getting vaccinated. But when people were asked if they wou…
Hospitals see job losses again after a month of growth
The healthcare industry has been recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic in fits and starts, and while there are some signs of encouragement, particularly when it comes to volumes and reimbursement, the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic…
CMS proposes expansion of ACA enrollment period
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed changes to regulations governing the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges in 2022, including a proposal to lengthen the annual open enrollment period by an additional 30 days.
CMS’ proposal would a…
Physicians worked fewer hours during the pandemic’s 2020 peak
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on almost every aspect of healthcare delivery, and this extends all the way down to individual physicians, with physicians working fewer hours on average in 2020 compared to 2019 according to data publish…
