News

Risant Health completes Geisinger acquisition

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Washington DC-based Risant Health recently announced the complete acquisition of Geisinger, a health system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 1.2 million people. The 10-hospital system, with...

CMS releases tool to help hospitals with price transparency

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CMS recently released a web-based validation tool that assists hospitals with price transparency compliance. The updated V2.0 Online Validator Tool helps hospitals develop machine-readable files to...

CMS proposes FY 2025 Medicare payment rates for hospice, IPFs

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CMS proposes a 2.6% hospice payment update for the fiscal year (FY) 2025, which would add about $705 million to payments versus this year. The newly proposed rule (CM-1810-P) states the update comes...

Skilled nursing facility proposed rule updates payment rates, VBP program

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CMS has released the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS), proposing a payment rate increase, revisions to nursing home enforcement authority, and updates to the quality...

CMS proposes 2.8% payment rate boost for inpatient rehabilitation facilities

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CMS has proposed to increase payment rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) by 2.8 percent in 2025. The payment update in the IRF Prospective Payment System (PPS) reflects a market...

Hospital financial performance off to a strong start

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Hospital financial performance has stayed strong through the beginning of the year, according to the latest data from healthcare consulting firm Kaufman Hall. The latest “National Hospital Flash...

Primary care delivery is similar across all Medicare patient mixes

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Care delivery, care coordination, and administrative challenges were similar across primary care physicians serving traditional Medicare patients and those serving Medicare Advantage patients, a...

Tax breaks higher than community investments for most non-profit hospitals

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More than 1,900 non-profit hospitals received more in tax breaks than they spent on community investments and financial assistance, according to an analysis from the Lown Institute. The Lown Institute...

Private payers initially deny nearly 15% of medical claims

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It may take some time to get paid for medical services, suggests a new survey of hospitals, health systems and post-acute care providers. Nearly 15 percent of medical claims submitted to private...

MSSP accountable care organizations share key priorities and challenges

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In the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), accountable care organizations (ACOs) prioritize annual wellness visits, care transitions, and clinician engagement, as Medicare Advantage growth causes...

CMS announces new ACO model focused on primary care

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CMS will test a new accountable care organization (ACO) model that focuses on primary care providers starting next year. A recent announcement states that CMS will launch a five-year voluntary ACO...

VisiQuate, MedeAnalytics top revenue cycle analytics rankings

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Many healthcare organizations use a third-party revenue cycle analytics solution in lieu of or next to their EHR system’s offering. A recent KLAS report found that leaders are most impressed by...

Hospital payment cap slashes prices in Ore.

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An effort to reduce healthcare spending in Oregon has successfully lowered hospital prices and variation, according to a recent study in Health Affairs. Oregon implemented a cap on hospital prices in...

Little progress made with hospital price transparency compliance

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Hospitals have made little progress with implementing federal price transparency requirements that took effect in 2021. The latest semi-annual “Hospital Price Transparency Report” from...

Lower reimbursement rates, denials behind razor-thin margins

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Hospitals and health systems are operating on razor-thin margins as reimbursement rates and denials create financial woes, a new survey indicates. The survey conducted by the Healthcare Financial...

$460B spending bill averts shutdown, some physician pay cuts

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Congress narrowly avoided a partial government shutdown, sending a $460 billion spending bill to the President’s desk over the weekend. The bipartisan deal, passed by the House 339-85 last...

Trauma center hospitals charged above-market prices for non-trauma care

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Hospitals designated as trauma centers charged higher prices for non-trauma inpatient admissions and emergency department visits compared to non-trauma center hospitals, a Health Affairs study...

Medical Debt Associated With Worse Population Health, Higher Mortality

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Medical debt was associated with worse population health, including poor physical and mental health and higher mortality rates, a study published in JAMA Network Open indicated. Medical debt can force...

PE Practice Ownership Raises Concerns About Competition

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It is well known that private equity (PE) firms have invested heavily in physician practices, but a new study sheds light on how these practice acquisitions could impact competition in many areas. The...

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