The Maryland Health Care Commission expanded its price transparency initiative with hospital cost comparison tools to inform consumers about large differences in price and quality—and push hospitals to examine their costs.
Category: FierceHealthPayer
Payer Roundup—Walmart taps former Humana executive for health unit; Azar appoints value-based care lead
Amid rumors that Walmart is in talks to buy Humana, the retail giant poached one of the insurer’s former vice presidents last week. Plus, two investigations suggest insurers and pharma are trying to dodge the law.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association reports major drop in opioid prescriptions among members nationwide
BCBS Association Chief Medical Officer Trent Haywood, M.D., attributes the trend to not just educating providers but working with them to change their prescribing behavior.
Good or bad idea? Some worry that E/M coding update could underpay doctors with sickest patients
CMS’ plans to update evaluation and management codes is either a good idea that will simplify documentation and free up doctors’ time to spend with patients or a bad one that will leave physicians who treat high-acuity patients underpaid.
HHS reviewing reforms to the Anti-Kickback Statute in addition to Stark Law
During a House Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan said an RFI on changes to the Anti-Kickback Statute is forthcoming, following an RFI on changes to the Stark Law last month. Hargan said reform is necessary to allow provi…
Hospital groups vow to continue legal fight after losing challenge to 340B payment cuts
Groups including the American Hospital Association were part of an effort to fight 340B payment cuts pushed by the Trump Administration. They said they plan to continue their legal challenge.
Emergency physicians sue Anthem over ER policy change
ACEP and the Medical Association of Georgia are asking for a court to put an end to Anthem’s new ER policy, which violates federal patient protection laws, according to a court filing.
Emergency physicians sue Anthem over ER policy change
ACEP and the Medical Association of Georgia are asking for a court to put an end to Anthem’s new ER policy, which violates federal patient protection laws, according to a court filing.
Patient, provider groups urge CMS to reinstate risk adjustment payments
The AMA, AHA and the Federation of American Hospitals were among the 28 groups that say CMS’ freeze on risk adjustment payments will cause premium hikes that prevent many people from obtaining coverage and limit access to medical care.
Patient, provider groups urge CMS to reinstate risk adjustment payments
The AMA, AHA and the Federation of American Hospitals were among the 28 groups that say CMS’ freeze on risk adjustment payments will cause premium hikes that prevent many people from obtaining coverage and limit access to medical care.
