Author's posts
Study: Bundled payments drive hospitals to reduce referrals to SNFs, improve coordination
Bundled payments are pushing hospitals to cut back on discharges to skilled nursing facilities, according to a new study. This could have significant implications for postacute providers, the researchers say.
Study: Provider consolidation outpaces payer in more than half of metro areas
Healthcare’s “merger mania” has led to significantly consolidated provider markets, according to a new report, which could have some major downsides for patients.
PwC: Healthcare’s appetite for mergers continues unabated
The second quarter of 2018 was another robust one for healthcare deal-making, according to a new report from PwC. The group’s Thad Kresho tells FierceHealthcare that private equity’s interest in the industry will be a trend to watch.
Policy experts to legislators: Don’t forget administrative spending in quest to lower healthcare costs
As policymakers continue their search for solutions to lower healthcare costs, experts say it’s crucial that they target a major source of bloat: wasteful administrative spending.
CMS proposes nixing pain-management questions from HCAHPS in response to opioid epidemic
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is planning to eliminate a set of questions on pain management from its nationwide patient experience survey, just months after rolling out updates to the questions.
Hospital groups decry ‘draconian’ cuts proposed by CMS in OPPS rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued its annual proposed rule setting outpatient payment rates, and industry groups are weighing in on plans for site-neutral payments and changes to the 340B program.
Poll reveals partisan divide among consumers on healthcare policy priorities
A new survey commissioned by the Bipartisan Policy Center found a notable split in what people on each side of the aisle view as healthcare reform priorities. Democrats prefer a focus on insurance access, while Republicans instead focus on limiting the…
In a blow to PBMs, Trump administration mulling overhaul to drug rebate safe harbor protections
The Trump administration is considering a proposal to overhaul safe harbor protections for pharmaceutical company rebates, a plan that could lead to a significant shift in how drug prices are determined.
GAO finds 340B hospitals are mostly rural or qualify for DSH payments
Amid increased scrutiny of the 340B drug discount program, the Government Accountability Office has released a report diving into the characteristics of hospitals in the program.
Continued push to value-based care the key to lower healthcare costs, experts tell legislators
Policymakers looking to lower healthcare costs must continue to push the industry toward value-based models, experts told legislators at a hearing on Tuesday. In addition, healthcare providers with lower amounts of wasteful spending are targeting the s…
