Author's posts
HHS’ OIG ponders new legal protections for value-based care models
HHS’ Office of Inspector General is following in the CMS’ footsteps to determine what legal protections it can provide to encourage providers to pursue value-based care arrangements.
Next Generation ACOs saved Medicare $62 million in first year
An ACO model that requires doctors to face major downside financial risk generated significant savings for Medicare in its first year of operations, the CMS revealed in a new report.
Clover Health to launch Medicare Advantage plans in six new markets in 2019
Clover joins a slew of other health insurers that are busy investing in the lucrative Medicare Advantage market, where enrollment has grown steadily over the past decade and shows no signs of slowing.
Google, Amazon, Microsoft and others have a long road ahead in healthcare
Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle and Salesforce came together to pledge for greater interoperability in healthcare. To achieve it, they’ll have to simultaneously move against and with the grain of the healthcare industry.
Blue Cross Michigan signs deal with Express Scripts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has approved a plan to contract with St. Louis-based Express Scripts Inc. for its retail commercial business in Michigan. The contract is effective Jan. 1.
Health insurers look for ways to cut costs with back surgery
Back surgery is one of the most overused types of surgery as well as the most common ailment that sends patients to doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists. More than $90 billion a year is spent on low-back pain alone.
Health-monitoring ‘smart’ fabric could lead to new wearable tech
A bandage containing “smart” technology could theoretically monitor continuous healing over time, according to researchers at MIT.
In Depth: Hospitals tackling social determinants are setting industry course
More hospitals are addressing the role of social determinants of health as a way to improve patients’ overall well-being. But there’s little evidence of the returns hospitals get from their investments.
Q&A with Health Leads’ Jennifer Valenzuela on health systems’ focus on population health
Health Leads started as a project that sent volunteers to connect patients with social resources. Founded in 1996, the program is now available in six cities. Health Leads recently promoted Jennifer Valenzuela to the new position of managing…
Commentary: To improve U.S. health, move beyond the boundaries of medical care
Making significant progress in how America thinks about health and defines expected outcomes will require a broader, more collaborative approach to improve the health of our nation.
